IPL cricket review: Virat Kohli stars as Royal Challengers Bengaluru win and go top of the league
Virat Kohli stars once again with his ninth IPL century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeat the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Raipur to go back to the top of the league standings.
With RCB going top and KKR most likely now out of the running for qualification, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at the key takeaways from this match.
King Kohli reigns supreme in another run chase
It might be a different year, but it is the same result as Virat Kohli continues to dominate as he scored his ninth IPL century to help the defending champions chase down 192.
He may have had back-to-back ducks in the last two, however it is fair to say he responded pretty well as he scored 105 not out off only sixty deliveries at a strike rate of 175.
Kohli controlled the innings from start to finish and made it look so effortless as he dominated the KKR bowlers with eleven fours and three sixes, including a sublime check-drive straight shot over the boundary.
His consistency has been unmatched as he also reached 14,000 T20 runs as well as making it the 12th IPL season that he has scored over four-hundred runs.
Once again, the Bengaluru fans asked for the King and once again he answered the call and won another game for RCB.
Kolkata bowlers struggle to make an impact
After a good batting performance, it proved to be a nightmare second innings for KKR with poor bowling and drop catches.
It was going to be tough, as key bowler Varun Chakravarthy missed out due to injury however they definitely did not cover themselves in glory.
Cameron Green, Vaibhav Arora and Anukul Roy all went at economy rates off over ten, with Arora dropping a sitter.
There were some good performances with the ball as Kartik Tyagi and Sunil Narine took wickets and caused a few problems, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough as RCB cruised comfortably to the target.
Bhuvi brilliant again
He may have not needed to bat this time, fortunately, however once again Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the RCB bowling attack once again.
After an early flourish from the KKR openers, Kumar once again delivered in the powerplay as he dismissed Finn Allen
After four overs, he picked up one wicket as well as only going at an economy rate of 8.50.
The leading wicket taker for the season had big support from the other bowlers like Hazelwood and Rasikh Dar, showing the difference between the bowling attacks.
The RCB bowling has been one of the key reasons why they are currently top of the table, and the fans will want them to keep this going as there are only a few games remaining.
RCB looking strong to go back-to-back
With this win, RCB gained two more points and to go top of the table.
With only two games to go in the league phases, the team will definitely be looking for a top two finish to give them the best chance in the qualifiers to make it to the finals.
After last year's victory, the team will be desperate to win the IPL two years in a row.
And after Kohli’s sensational century, and the bowlers stepping up again, RCB are looking the favourites to do it again.
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