Virat Kohli has had a strong start to IPL 2023, unlike last year. On Sunday, he scored an unbeaten 82 from 49 deliveries to help Royal Challengers Bangalore defeat Mumbai Indians by eight wickets. In Tilak, Kohli’s stunning knock featured six fours and five sixes.
The Mumbai Indians bowlers, who were defending 171 runs, were overwhelmed by Verma’s 84 unbeaten. With an opening partnership of 148 runs in just 15 overs from Kohli and captain Faf du Plessis, RCN got off to a strong start in their pursuit. In the end, Kohli smashed a six to end the game with 22 balls remaining despite du Plessis being out.
Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle launched. (PTI)
In the first four innings combined of the previous IPL, Kohli was removed after just one inning. If his old RCB teammates Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers are to be believed, Kohli’s return to form against MI is a bad omen for the opposition. Prior to Kohli’s explosive IPL 2023 debut for RCB, Universe Boss Gayle really made an accurate prediction for de Villiers.
Gayle stated on the post-match broadcast on Geo Cinema, “We talked about Virat before the competition. AB and I. De Villiers said ‘Hey, he’s a bit hungry.
In his capacity as the RCB opener, Kohli seemed to be having fun. When Kohli started IPL 2022 batting at No. 3 before being moved to the opening position last year, the flow was off and he only managed 341 runs in 16 matches. But, after regaining his mojo by leading India to a century, Kohli continued to play in the same manner in the IPL, and his start has been nothing less than impressive. In addition to praising Kohli, Gayle also lauded du Plessis and expressed confidence in their ability to perform well together in the remaining IPL 2023 games.
“We recognize Faf’s class. Both as a player and as a captain, he excels. It is nothing new for Faf because he has done it throughout international cricket as well. I can guarantee that Virat and Faf will fully feed off of one another. They realize they will stumble and flee as soon as they begin. By the third over, they have picked up their own two, and they are prepared to engage in combat. Teams and bowlers alike should be aware of this, as Gayle noted, “because these two basically guarantee you 400 runs.”