Page 38 - The Indian EYE 052623

SPORTS MAY 26, 2023 | The Indian Eye 38

IPL 2023

Kohli equals Gayle’s record,

Dhawan falters and Shastri shares his

wish list for WC 2023

oyal Challengers Bangalore
star batter and “Chasemas-
Rter” Virat Kohli ended a four-
year-long wait for an Indian Premier
League ton, smashing Sunrisers Hy-
derabad (SRH) bowlers all around
the ground to score his sixth century
of the tournament on Thursday.
This was Kohli’s first ton in the
ongoing IPL 2023; he equalled for-
mer teammate Chris Gayle (6) for
most centuries scores in league histo-
ry. The star batter slammed his first
IPL ton since April 2019. Notably,
Kohli now has the joint-most centu-
ries in the history of the league with
Chris Gayle (6).
The RCB opener had been in
good form but criticised for his slow
starts; but, on Thursday night, he
proved his doubters wrong, reaching
his century in 62 deliveries. Although
Kohli has been in superb form in the
IPL 2023, his strike rate in the mid-
dle overs has come under scrutiny.
Kohli enjoyed his rich form in
the match during the middle overs
in addition to dominating the power-
play. He hit his century off 62 balls
in the 18th over. Kohli was eventual-
ly dismissed on 100, leaving the pitch
directly after reaching the milestone; Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on Thursday (ANI)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar took the RCB
star’s wicket in the 18th over. have had some dew. Good surface
Coming to the match, Roy- Plessis jumped on the bandwagon. Parnell heaps praise on
al Challengers Bangalore (RCB) The fifty partnership was up yet RCB captain Faf du Plessis but touch on the slower side. Same
team as the last game. Hasaranga
secured a dominating victory and again in the tournament for RCB’s has a niggle. Bracewell strengthens
two crucial points after a remark- opening duo and the visitors moved oyal Challengers Bangalore our batting. We have to start afresh.
able chase against Sunrisers Hy- to 64/0 after 6 overs. SRH nearly put (RCB) bowler Wayne Parnell The game of cricket has a funny way
derabad (SRH) in the Indian an end to the opening partnership af- Ron Thursday heaped praise of biting you. You have to have the
Premier League (IPL) 2023 on ter Mayank Dagar took a sensation- on his captain Faf du Plessis and said humility of looking at a fresh game.”
Thursday at the Rajiv Gandhi In- al catch however on a delivery that that the opener gives players a lot of “We would have looked to bat.
ternational Stadium in Hyderabad. unfortunately turned out to be a no- freedom to go out and perform. Not too disappointed. A couple
Virat Kohli’s chase masterclass ball, adding to SRH’s worries. Coming to the match, RCB cap-
and his scintillating century over- The duo looked unstoppa- tain Faf du Plessis won the toss and of changes. Brook comes in. Tyagi
comes in as well. Umran is an x-fac-
shadowed Heinrich Klaasen’s ton in ble with the bat as both du Plessis opted to bowl against SRH in their tor player. A lot of pride to play for.
a gripping run-fest. and Kohli reached their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 We haven’t lived up to the ability. We
Chasing 187 to win, RCB got off half-centuries and RCB were cruis- match here at Rajiv Gandhi Inter-
to a flying start courtesy of in-form ing at 108/0 with 8 overs to go. national Stadium in Hyderabad on should try to showcase that at the
world stage in the last two games,”
openers - Virat Kohli and Captain Virat Kohli was at his sublime Thursday. Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Aiden
Faf du Plessis. Opener Virat Kohli hit best and left everyone in awe as the Speaking at the time of the toss, Markram said.
from the word go and was off the mark 150-run partnership was up for the Faf du Plessis said, “We are gonna Continued on next page... >>
with two timely strokes before Faf du opening wicket. have a bowl. The last two nights we

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