Ahmedabad: When Virat Kohli caught Shubman Gill off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the old picture came out. When Kohli celebrates success on the field with aggressive gestures. Kohli also threatened with Shubman’s catch. After the early batting storm of Gujarat Titans, did Royal Challengers Bangalore get the breath of life to come back? At the end of 5 overs, the score of Gujarat Titans was 57/2.
But Kohli’s aggression did not last long. Gujarat Titans won the match by losing 6 wickets in 15.5 overs. Along with that, RCB’s chances of going to the top of the points table also suffered a major blow. After losing this match, RCB got stuck with 12 points in 9 matches. They were second in the points table. Punjab Kings are at the top with 13 points in 8 matches.
Interestingly, two other teams are on 12 points after playing 8 matches each. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals. Hyderabad and Rajasthan are at number three and four in the points table as they are slightly behind in run rate.
Batting first, RCB scored 155 runs. The first half of the match was abuzz with Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada dueling. IPLHe is a Royal Challengers Bangalore legend. The other is one of the best faces of Gujarat Titans bowling attack.
However, Kohli hit the South African pacer five consecutive fours in one over! Set a precedent. The events of the second over of the RCB innings on Thursday. Rabada’s first ball was short. Kohli hits a boundary over mid-wicket. King Kohli hit four more boundaries in the next four balls. Kohli touches Chris Gayle, Shane Watson’s record. In the RCB jersey, Gayle and Watson had the precedent of hitting five consecutive fours. Kohli shared that precedent on Thursday.
Rabaday has the last laugh though. Kohli took the catch at mid-wicket while coming forward to hit the ball. South African pacer cheers when Rashid Khan catches. He returned with 28 runs off 13 balls Kohli. Devdatta Parikkal scored 40 runs off 24 balls. RCB were all out with 4 balls to spare. Three wickets for Arshad Khan. Two wickets each for Rashid Khan and Jason Holder.
In reply, Shubman’s storm of 43 runs from 18 balls left Gujarat to complete the target with 25 balls to spare. Josh Buttler scored 39 off 19 balls.
