Royal Challengers Bangalore have had a torrid time in IPL 2019 so far. They lost all their first 4 matches. Nothing seemed to be going right for the Virat Kohli-led side. Over the years, the franchise has been overdependent on the pair of Kohli and AB de Villiers. Both hadn’t hit their stripes and as a result, things didn’t go in their favor.
Kohli had failed in the first four games. It’s pretty rare to see the best batsman in the world struggling for runs for so innings on the trot. The RCB skipper had received criticism for his poor run of form. But the 29-year-old replied in the best possible manner. He kept quiet and answered with his bat to shut the critics.
In the 17th match of the season, Kolkata Knight Riders traveled to Bangalore. The hosts were batting first after losing the toss. Virat Kohli opened the innings alongside Parthiv Patel. It was evident that the captain was determined to turn things around this time.
Kohli was aggressive from the outset. He got going with a couple of his traditional cover drives that hit the fence in no time. Parthiv gave him good company as the score flourished in the powerplay. Parthiv got out in the 8th over for 25. But it proved to be a blessing in disguise as AB de Villiers walked in to join his captain in the middle.
While de Villiers took his time initially, Kohli kept going hard. He brought up his fifty in the 11th over off 31 balls. As the innings progressed, de Villiers also joined in and there was absolute carnage at the Chinnaswamy. The duo kept smashing the bowlers and laid the platform for a huge score.
The RCB opener was shaping up to reach the three-figure mark. But Kuldeep Yadav got him out for 84 from 49 balls in the 18th over. His knock included 9 fours and 2 sixes. Despite Kohli’s dismissal, AB kept going and his innings of 63 from 32 balls propelled RCB to 205/3.
Twitter took a sigh of relief with Kohli finding back form
#IPL2019: @imVkohli overtakes @ImRaina to become the leading run-scorer in @IPL✌️ #RCBvKKR #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/IxY3OeAGgS
— Amit Panchal (@AmitHPanchal) April 5, 2019
Virat Kohli becomes the second Indian batsman after Suresh Raina to complete 8,000 T20 runs. He is the second quickest after Gayle to achieve the milestone in-terms of innings.#RCBvKKR
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 5, 2019
This is how #ViratKohli shut the mouth of the haters! 🔥#RCBvKKR #RCBvsKKR #PlayBold #RCBLovesFurry #LiveScore: https://t.co/ENOAx2qxTL pic.twitter.com/rEgiyjnyeV
— Cricadium CRICKET (@Cricadium) April 5, 2019
Such sweet sweet timing from Virat. Like a hot knife through butter. Smoooooth #RCBvKKR
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 5, 2019
Kohli and ABD make perhaps the best pair in the IPL. Warner-Bairstow have been intimidating this season, but the RCB jodi have been terrific year-on-year
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 5, 2019
King #Kohli is now the highest run getter in #IPL history – 5110* 👌👏.. Whattay class knock today.. So happy to see him back among the runs.. Abb aayega maza! #RCBvKKR #RCB #ViratKohli
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) April 5, 2019
Master Class from the Modern Master thus far… #RCBvKKR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 5, 2019
😍😍😍😍 what a great show, skip! Now let's bring it home! #playBold #RCBvKKR #VIVOIPL2019 https://t.co/IEQd8JPBgp
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) April 5, 2019
Virat Kohli (5087*) now leading run-getter in #IPL, just went past Suresh Raina's tally of 5086 runs.#RCBvKKR#IPL2019
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 5, 2019
Friday night out in #Mumbai … The whole bar watching @ABdeVilliers17 & @imVkohli … !!!! #IPL2019
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 5, 2019
8000 runs for Virat Kohli in T20 cricket. He is the youngest player to reach this mark at 30 years 151 days, second quickest after Gayle in terms of innings. #RCBvKKR #IPL2019
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) April 5, 2019
When Virat Kohli and ABD smoke the bowlers all over the park, no matter which team you support in IPL, you just want them to continue till the end and enjoy their partnership. Living legends🙌🔥 #RCBvKKR #KKRvRCB #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/6kKYgRB6TF
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 5, 2019
Ninth time Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have 50+ scores for RCB in same inns.
Previous eight RCB won 6, lost 2#RCBvKKR#IPL2019— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/gnitin4450/status/1114206280619446272
Also Read: Who will win the ODI World Cup 2019? Here are the top 5 contenders
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
