In a thrilling IPL 2023 match against the SunRisers Hyderabad, Virat Kohli showcased his brilliance as he smashed his sixth century in the tournament, equaling the record set by Chris Gayle. The match, held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, witnessed Kohli’s aggressive and unstoppable batting from the very beginning, much to the delight of the fans in attendance. The encounter became even more historic as it marked the first time in IPL history that centuries were scored in both innings of a match. Earlier, SunRisers’ Heinrich Klaasen had also reached the coveted milestone, setting a challenging target of 187 runs for Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). From the outset, Kohli displayed his dominance, unleashing a classic shot off the first ball he faced from Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
The boundaries kept flowing as Kohli and RCB captain Faf du Plessis formed a formidable partnership, driving their team towards victory. The duo not only smashed big shots but also exhibited excellent running between the wickets. RCB, aiming for a crucial win to secure a favorable position in the points table, achieved their goal with four balls to spare, elevating them into the top four. Kohli’s century, accompanied by du Plessis’ impressive knock of 71, played a pivotal role in RCB’s triumph. Currently, RCB boasts 14 points from 13 matches, with a net run rate of +0.180. The extraordinary performance by Kohli didn’t go unnoticed by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who expressed his admiration on Twitter. Tendulkar acknowledged Kohli’s dominance from the first ball, particularly praising his cover drive.
He deemed the total of 186 runs by SRH inadequate, considering the exceptional partnership between Kohli and du Plessis. Kohli’s century was filled with memorable shots, especially during the 15th over by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Four consecutive boundaries showcased Kohli’s diverse range of strokes, leaving even the RCB captain in awe. The 18th over witnessed Kohli’s emphatic six over deep mid-wicket, securing his first IPL century since the 2019 edition. Although he was dismissed on the next delivery, Kohli’s majestic innings ensured RCB’s smooth journey to clinching two crucial points. With his extraordinary feat, Virat Kohli once again proved why he is considered one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the IPL, matching the remarkable record set by Chris Gayle.