At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squared off after losing their previous match against the reigning champions, Gujarat Titans (GT). Bangalore won the game by eight wickets, and Virat Kohli, a former captain of India, was named Player of the Match for his outstanding match-winning innings.
The right-handed batter hit 100 runs off just 63 balls at an impressive strike rate of 158.73, including 12 boundaries and four sixes. His sixth IPL century puts him on par with his former teammate Chris Gayle regarding total runs. He scored 172 runs for the first wicket while the team was chasing 187, joining forces with RCB captain Faf du Plessis. The two devastated the SRH bowlers during their blazing batting outburst.
'Quite special considering the magnitude of the game' β Virat Kohli
"Quite special considering the magnitude of the game. Thought SRH got a very good score. Ball was gripping as well. Faf's been on a different level. I've had a quiet couple of games. The way I was hitting in the nets wasn't transitioning into the middle. Never look at past records (not great numbers against SRH). I put myself under so much stress already. I don't care what anyone says on the outside. I've never been a guy who plays so many fancy shots," Kohli was quoted as saying in the post-match interview.
"It's Test cricket (coming up) after theΒ IPL. have to stay true to my technique. I think it's the tattoos (partnership with Faf). It's been a beautiful transition for us coming together for RCB at the top and making an impact. The crowd here was amazing today as well. Told Faf as well. Just felt like it was a home game for us. They were cheering for us, taking my name as well. I feel you can't create this. I haven't forced anyone to support me. It's an amazing position to be in that you can provide happiness to so many people," the 34-year-old asserted.
Suryakumar Yadav, the World No. 1 T20I batter, congratulated his colleague on the century through his Instagram story with the remark "Maanla re Bhauuu" following Kohli's hundred.
Here's how fans reacted to Suryakumar Yadav's story:
Playoffs ke pehle panauti lagaa raha hai π€£π€£π€£
β NK (@nirmal_indian) May 18, 2023
Maanla maanla!!! bro iske aage bhi kuch hota h ki nahi ππππ
β Sumit (@SumitSingh_33) May 18, 2023
These two guysβ€οΈβ€οΈ
β Shahzeb Khan (@theshahzebkhan) May 18, 2023
Virat aur Surya ki story me
β ΰ€°ΰ€Ύΰ€ΰ€Έΰ₯ΰ€₯ΰ€Ύΰ€¨ΰ₯ S H U π ±οΈ H A M (@maukewalarcbfan) May 18, 2023
"Mala re bhauu " pic.twitter.com/xn7VE80Tmn
Sky π― Virat π―
β Cric Bible (@CricBible7) May 18, 2023
SURYA π€VIRAT = SURVIR π₯
β Alok Tiwari (@DrxAlokTiwari3) May 18, 2023
Just to make Kohli fail in his next innings, the instagram story jinx
β Rajeev (@krvrajeev) May 18, 2023
πππ₯π¬πππ, ππ'π¦ π πππ‘π!ππ pic.twitter.com/TyEQA7ydIe
β Subash (@SubbuSubash_17) May 18, 2023