'Chase Master Is Back': Twitter Explodes As Virat Kohli Slams 49-Ball 82 For RCB Against MI In IPL 2023

03.04.2023 - 08:19 sports.ndtv.com

Virat Kohli was at his best on Sunday night as he along with Faf du Plessis dished out a chasing master-class with a 148-run opening partnership as Royal Challengers Bangalore outplayed Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2023 campaign opener.

RCB won the game at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru by 8 wickets. Chasing a target of 172, the side reached home with 22 balls to spare, thanks to Kohli's impactful 82 not out off 49 balls.

His innings was laced with 6 fours and 5 sixes. As the chase master made it a cakewalk for RCB in the second innings of the game, the Twitterati could not keep calm.

While the fans lauded him for his knock, some also compared his form to that in the 2016 edition of IPL in which Kohli had scored a record 973 runs. Check out the reactions here: The chase master is back at the Chinnaswamy.

cricket Mumbai Indians Ball as Virat Kohli India Chennai Bangalore

Virat Kohli returned as Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper for the match against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last time around, with full-time skipper Faf du Plessis deciding to become an 'Impact Player' due to a small injury problem. As the Bengaluru franchise takes on Rajasthan Royals in the first match of the double-header on Sunday, it would be interesting to see if a similar approach is opted for by RCB. Du Plessis and Kohli did the bulk of the scoring with the bat against PBKS but the franchise needs other batters to step up to, especially aginst an in-form side like the Royals.

IPL 2023: Ex-India Star Reveals Virat Kohli's 'Captaincy Masterstroke' In Win Over PBKS

With skipper Faf du Plessis unable to field due to a rib injury, Virat Kohli took over captaincy duty for Royal Challengers Bangalore during their game against Punjab Kings on Thursday. Kohli, who had stepped down from captaincy after IPL 2021, donned the captaincy hat for RCB, leading his team to a crucial 24-run win at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. RCB posted a total of 174/4 on the back of Faf (84) and Kohli's (59) 137-run partnership for the first wicket.

"Can't Waste Balls...": Australia Great Slams Virat Kohli, Faf Du Plessis For Poor Strike-Rate

Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli hit half-centuries to set up Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)'s win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Faf hit 84 off 56 balls, while Kohli registered his 48th half-century, scoring 59 off 47 balls. While the pair added 137 runs for the first wicket in 16 overs, former Australia batter Matthew Hayden was not impressed with their scoring rate. Hayden criticised Faf and Kohli for wasting balls, saying that both players have to trust other batters.

'Kohli Review System': RCB Stand-in Captain Virat Takes Right DRS Calls vs PBKS In IPL 2023. Twitter Impressed

Cricket fans around the world got a glimpse of Virat Kohli, the captain, yet again as he stood for Royal Challengers Bangalore's regular skipper Faf du Plessis, who is nursing an injury, in an IPL 2023 match against Punjab Kings in Mohali on Thursday. And the match turned out to be a sweet one for RCB as they won by 24 runs. Kohli, who has been the skipper of RCB and the Indian cricket team in the past, scored a half-century and also impressed with his DRS calls.

Watch: Virat Kohli's 'Fake Punch' Against Sam Curran After No Ball Creates Hilarious Moment During PBKS vs RCB Match

The 27th match of the Indian Premier League 2023 kicked off with Punjab Kings Stand-in skipper Sam Curran winning the toss and opting to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday. The duo of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis provided a superb start to the side by stitching a solid opening stand. They added 130 runs for the first wicket in 15 overs. On the first ball of the 16th over, Sam Curran bowled a beamer to du Plessis. While the bowler was quick to apologise for his mistake, Kohli jokingly jokingly pretended to punch him.

Watch: Anushka Sharma Stunned As RCB Star Virat Kohli Departs In 1st Over vs CSK In IPL 2023 Game

It was a run fest at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday as Royal Challengers Bangalore faced MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings. Batting first, CSK were guided to 226/6 with Devon Conway and Shivam Dube slamming quick half-centuries. In reply, RCB's Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell too hit half-centuries but still RCB fell short by just eight runs. One batter who was expected to do well on the batting track was Virat Kohli. However, the ex-RCB skipper fell for just 6 off Akash Singh in first over of the chase. Kohli swung hard against a back of a length delivery and played the ball on to the stumps. The dismissal stunned the Bengaluru crowd, including Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma, who was present in the stands.