batting maestro Virat Kohli Picked the right time to return to form as he scored a half-century to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore to an 8-wicket win over table-toppers Gujarat Titans in a do or die match. The win helped RCB move up to the fourth position in the points table as they managed to survive the race for the playoffs. However, they will still have to rely on the outcome of the Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals clash as if Rishabh Pant & Co emerges victorious in that contest, they will overtake RCB for a place in the play-offs.
IPL Full Coverage , Schedule , result , orange cap , purple cap
Chasing a target of 169 runs on Thursday, Kohli created panic at the Wankhede Stadium with an innings of 73 runs. The 33-year-old hit 2 sixes and 8 fours during his 54-ball stay. He was stumped by Rashid Khan as the former RCB captain was looking to end the game early to improve his team’s NRR which could decide their fate in the race for the playoffs. He completed his half-century in 33 balls with a brilliant six off Rashid.
This was the second time that Kohli scored 50-plus this season and interestingly, the first also came against Gujarat Titans where he scored 58 off 53 balls. The 33-year-old was not looking at his fluent best on the occasion but on Thursday he was accused of playing a crucial innings for his team as he attacked the bowlers from the start.
Glenn Maxwell (40*) scored the winning run for his team as RCB won the match with 8 balls to spare. Dinesh Karthik also remained unbeaten on 2 runs. Maxwell’s whirlwind innings of 18 balls hit 2 sixes and 5 fours.
Kohli laid the foundation for a big win with skipper Faf du Plessis, who scored 44 off 38 balls, playing the second part in a 115-run partnership for the opening wicket. He was also dismissed by Rashid as the Afghan spinner was the only wicket for Gujarat Titans in their last league-stage competition.
RCB vs GT Match Highlights IPL 2022
Earlier, GT captain Hardik Pandya hit a competitive half-century of 168 for five against RCB.
Coming into the game with a low score, Hardik warmed up well for the play-offs, scoring an unbeaten 62 off 47 balls, even though he was not at his fluent best.
RCB, needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, restricted GT to 72 for three in 10 overs, largely because Wriddhiman Saha (31 off 22) kept his ground in the middle despite threats to stay in the middle. There was talent.
Saha got off to another quick start with clean hitting but his opening partner Shubman Gill lost cheaply. The right-hander poked a good length delivery and Glenn Maxwell, standing at first slip, took a brilliant catch with his right hand.
Pandya worked hard till the end to revive Gujarat’s innings as he shared some crucial partnerships with David Miller (34) and Rashid Khan (19), which helped Gujarat Titans recover from early wickets.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos, IPL 2022 Live Updates And cricket score Here