Virat Kohli was named man-of-the-match for the first time in IPL 2022 after his 54-ball 73 scripted an 8-wicket victory for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
Virat Kohli said he was happy to contribute in a crucial victory for RCB who needed a victory to finish the league stages with 16 points and added that he could just keep going and insisted there were no issues at all.
“I can keep going, there are no issues at all. It was an important game,” Kohli told Star Sports after winning the man-of-the-match award. “I was disappointed that I have not done enough for the team.
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“Today (Thursday) was a game where I was able to create an impact for the team.. this puts us in a good position. You need to keep the perspective right. You can forget the process in order to live up to the expectations I have worked really hard.
“I batted 90 minutes in the nets yesterday (Wednesday). I came in very free and relaxed,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Virat Kohli said he felt like himself with the bat with the very first shot off Mohammed Shami and then proceeded to register his highest score of the season.
“With the very first shot of Shami, I felt I could hit lengths balls over the fielder’s head. I knew that tonight was the night when I could kick on. It has been wonderful that I have got so much support in this edition. I am forever grateful to all the love that I have never seen before,” Kohli said.
Virat Kohli’s innings was studded with 8 fours and 2 sixes off Rashid Khan as he stormed back to form in style.
Virat Kohli, the leading run scorer in IPL history, had endured poor form before RCB’s final league match against table-toppers Gujarat Titans.
Virat Kohli had scored three golden ducks and had hit a half-century against GT in their previous encounter. However, that fifty was Kohli’s slowest ever in the IPL.
On Thursday, RCB captain Faf du Plessis said Virat Kohli was training hard at the nets. Kohli, before the match against GT, said he was open to the idea of taking a break but he was constantly backed by the team management to come good.
“Virat had been putting in the hard yards in the nets. I play the role with him and get him pumped up. He has got so much emotions and he pulls you through. It is as if you are playing a rugby game,” du Plessis told Star Sports.
In the game against Punjab Kings last week, Virat Kohli had gotten off to a quick start but failed to come good despite getting a start. However, it all ended well for the former RCB captain who could be potent now if RCB make it to the playoffs provided other results go their way.
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