Yesterday IPL Match Result: Virat Kohli ton takes RCB home vs KKR, puts them on verge of playoff spot

RAIPUR: Virat Kohli was at his imperious best as Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down 193 against Kolkata Knight Riders in style and closed in on a playoffs berth. It was a calculated assault by the legend as he hit three boundaries in the second over off medium-pacer Vaibhav Arora, helping the defending champions take off in their chase in Raipur.

There was no rush in Kohli’s (105 not out off 60 balls) approach as he kept finding the boundaries with ease without taking too many risks. In trademark Kohli style, he ran well between the wickets and even after his opening partner Jacob Bethell was removed at the score of 37, there was no panic whatsoever.

Kohli found an ally in Devdutt Padikkal and the two added 92 runs in 9.5 overs that all but shut KKR out of the game. The left-right combination made life difficult for the KKR bowlers and Vaibhav Arora dropping Padikkal in the eighth over was the last thing Ajinkya Rahane would have asked for.

Kohli’s unhurried yet efficient approach allowed RCB to motor along towards the target, the master finding the boundaries just when it mattered. Padikkal was finally removed by Kartik Tyagi, who was working up a decent pace with the score on 129, but by then the spadework had been done.

Following his departure, skipper Rajat Patidar and Kohli added another 29 that helped them get closer to the target. Once the captain holed out after hitting Sunil Narine for a six, it was left to Kohli to finish the game. A flick of the wrist in the 18th over off Tyagi — that took him from 92 to 98 in the 18th over — could easily be rated as one of the best shots of this IPL so far. Kohli got his century in the 19th over off 58 balls and RCB finished the six-wicket win in 19.1 overs.

Earlier, a composed 71 from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and a late flourish by Rinku Singh powered KKR to 192/4 in the rain-delayed match. Heavy showers delayed the start until 8.45 pm, though no overs were lost.

Raghuvanshi, in particular, looked in control, displaying maturity and composure, rotating strike smartly while punishing loose deliveries. Rinku’s hammered an unbeaten 49 off only 29 balls, providing the acceleration that lifted the visitors close to the 200-run mark. However, their efforts were in vain.