Kohli finds form as RCB steamroll Gujarat to stay in IPL play-off race
MUMBAI: A fired up Virat Kohli roared back to form with a fine half-century as Royal Challengers Bangalore stayed alive in the IPL play-off race with a thumping eight-wicket win over table toppers Gujarat Titans here on Thursday.
This was after skipper Hardik Pandya scored a gritty 47-ball 62 to lift GT to a competitive 168 for five after opting to bat. Kohli (73 off 54) and captain Fa du Plessis (44 off 38) shared a match-winning 115run opening stand before Glenn Maxwell (40 not out off 18) went ballistic to ensure the team got home in 18.4 overs.
By virtue of this win, RCB moved to fourth place in the standings with 16 points but will have to wait for the Delhi Capitals-mumbai Indians game on Saturday to know their fate. A loss for Delhi would ensure RCB a play-off berth.
As the 'Kohli Kohli' chants suggested, the whole of Wankhede and probably the country wanted to see the former India captain back amongst the runs and with a little bit of luck going his way, he was back playing the shots he is known for. When Kohi picked Mohammed Shami for two lofted boundaries over the bowler's head and cover in the third over, it looked it would be his night. His next four was a streaky one off Hardik who bowled with the new ball.
The very next ball, Kohli was at his animated best as he whipped Hardik towards square leg with Rashid Khan missing a tough chance in the deep.
A sign of his growing confidence was an aerial straight drive off Rashid.