CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – Opener Virat Kohli hit a 62-ball hundred to steer Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 65th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad on Thursday.
The 34-year-old dashing right-hander reached his sixth IPL century with a flicked six over mid-on off Bhuvneshwar Kumar as RCB successfully chased down their opponents total of 186 for five with four deliveries to spare.
Kohli hoisted four sixes and struck 12 boundaries during his innings and put on a 172-run opening stand in 17.5 overs with Captain Francois du Plessis as RCB moved closer to the playoffs in the IPL.
Chasing 187 to win, RCB got off to a flying start courtesy of in-form openers – Kohli and Du Plessis. Opener Kohli hit from the word go and was off the mark with two timely strokes before Du Plessis jumped on the bandwagon.
The fifty partnership was up yet again in the tournament for RCB’s opening duo and the visitors moved to 64 for no loss after six overs.
The duo looked unstoppable with the bat as both du Plessis and Kohli reached their respective half centuries and RCB were cruising at 108 for no loss with eight overs to go.
Kohli was at his sublime best and left everyone in awe as the 150-run partnership was up for the opening wicket. The equation was down to 23 runs off 18 balls for the visitors as SRH kept searching for the opening wicket.
SRH bounced back to dismiss both the RCB openers in quick succession, but it was too late for the home side as RCB chased down the target with four balls to spare.
Earlier, wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klassen scored his maiden IPL century to lift SRH from an early setback to post a competitive 186 for five in 20 overs after they were invited to bat first.
Klaasen figured in two crucial partnerships – the first of 76 for the third wicket off 50 balls with Captain Aiden Markram and then another 74-run stand for the fourth wicket off 36 balls with Harry Brook.
Chief scores
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 186/5 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 104, Harry Brook 27 n.o, Michael Bracewell 2/13)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 187/2 in 19.2 overs (Virat Kohli 100, Francois du Plessis 71).
