Virat Kohli and his tryst with 18th May
If the Royal Challengers Bangalore are playing an IPL game on 18th May, there is a 50% chance of Virat Kohli scoring a century. It’s not an exaggeration, it’s just what the numbers say. Thus far, Kohli has featured in four RCB matches played on 18th May. Here are his scores – 56*, 27, 113, 100. Let’s take a deep dive into his hundreds which were very special knocks.
113 vs Kings XI Punjab, 2016
2016 was Virat Kohli’s golden season with the bat. He amassed 973 runs with four centuries, both being IPL records that are yet to be surpassed. One of the four centuries that stands out is his 113 against Kings XI Punjab in Bangalore. In the rain-curtailed encounter, RCB had only 15 overs to bat. Chris Gayle batted in his own marauding way as smashed 73 off 32 balls. Kohli completed his fifty off 26 balls. He then lofted KC Cariappa for three sixes in an over and soon brought up his century. What makes this innings even more charming is the fact that Kohli had to bat with stitches in his left hand. He finished with 113 runs off 50 balls with 12 fours and 8 sixes. RCB won the match by 82 runs.
100 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2023
The chase master was at work again as Kohli dished out another masterclass. The opener rose to the occasion in a must-win game thus answering his critics. Heinrich Klaasen’s ton in the first innings meant RCB had to chase down 187 runs. Kohli and Faf du Plessis nearly chased the target on their own. The in-form opening pair added 172 runs for the first wicket. Kohli was dismissed soon after completing his 6th IPL century, by then RCB were in a comfortable position to finish the chase.
