Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) batting juggernaut emulated Chris Gayle's all-time record after tonking a splendid century against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium on Thursday (May 18).
Riding on a magnificent 100 off 63 Kohli ended four-year-old century drought and brought his sixth IPL ton, which is the joint-most by any batter besides Gayle in IPL history.
Most IPL centuries
Virat Kohli-6
Chris Gayle-6
Jos Buttler-5
KL Rahul- 4
David Warner-4
Shane Watson-4
Kohli's incredible knock was studded with 12 fours and four maximums as he completed his century with a flicked six over mid-on off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 18th over. Notably Kohli struck his last IPL century back in 2019 against Kolkata Knight Riders. Four of Kohli’s six centuries came in his IPL 2016 season, when he amassed a record-breaking 973 runs.
However, right after belting his sixth century Kohli was dismissed by Bhuvneshwar as he holed out to Glenn Phillips in the deep.
Kohli got off to a lightning start as he carted back-to-back fours off Bhuvneshwar to start his side’s 187-run chase against SRH. Kohli paired with his skipper Faf Du Plessis to put on a record 172-run partnership to take the match away from SRH. Du Plessis too chipped in with an impressive 71 off 47 which was studded with seven fours and two sixes to seal the match for RCB with eight wickets and fours balls to spare.
Kohli's ton came after Heinrich Klaasen's maiden IPL ton in the same match. Klaasen clobbered a spectacular 104 off 51 but his efforts went in vain as SRH ended up losing the match. With this win RCB boosted thier chance of cruising into the Playoffs as they have now 14 points with one more league match remaining which they will be playing against Gujarat Titans on May 21.
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Virat Kohli's record-equalling sixth IPL century outshines Heinrich Klaasen's maiden ton for SRH as RCB win by 8 wickets to boost playoffs hopes
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