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IPL 2023: News - 'It was a phenomenal win' - Virat Kohli after RCB's victory

By Shurti Banerjee | Apr 3, 2023 | 3 Min Read

The fifth match of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL 2023) was an entertaining one which took place between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB won the game convincingly by 8 wickets, courtesy of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis’ swashbuckling knocks.

Put into bat first, Mumbai Indians had a very poor start. They lost a few quick wickets in between before Tilak Varma started to steady the innings, smashing 84 off 46 with 9 fours and 4 sixes as well. His blistering knock helped Mumbai post 171 runs in their allotted 20 overs. While chasing, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis both got off to a flying start where they both hitting the fifties comfortably and took the team home within 16.2 overs as well. While Du Plessis scored 73 off 43 balls, including five fours and six sixes, Kohli was in great touch to remain unbeaten on 82 off 49 balls, comprised of six fours and five sixes as well.

“I thought it was a phenomenal win, a homecoming after 4 years. Couldn’t have asked for a better game. We bowled well for the first 17 overs but then credit to their batters, especially Tilak who batted really well. It was a very comprehensive win and we wanted to win with balls to spare as it will benefit the NRR,” said the former RCB captain, Virat Kohli.

He continued: “The new ball was tricky, that’s where we shifted the momentum, they can ride on that momentum from the last two overs of their batting but the way we started nullified all that momentum. We kept the pressure on the bowlers.”

“I think he was phenomenal” – Virat Kohli on Karn Sharma

The swashbuckling batter also applauded leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who picked two wickets in the match.

Virat Kohli said, “I think he was phenomenal, phenomenal spell from him, that’s brave bowling after getting the left-hander out [on Karn Sharma]. He was bowling so well for us last year but he couldn’t play. Even in the nets he was not getting hit for sixes, hats off to him for coming and playing after so long, to perform against such a strong MI side at the Chinnaswamy is great for him.”

However, he also stated that RCB need to build on the momentum from the first victory for the rest of the tournament as well.

“I wanted to mention this for a while – after MI who have 5 titles and CSK who have 4, if I’m not wrong, we are the third team to have qualified the most times to the playoffs – 8 times. Take one game at a time and try to be a balanced side which we are and we would look to execute our plans as we did tonight,” Kohli further shared.

The veteran batter also opened up about the support from a jam-packed home stadium as well.

“Phenomenal, it was a packed crowd, every seat was full when we walked in here. Very important we started off well, their support propelled us and that makes a massive difference,” Virat Kohli concluded.

RCB will next play against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 6 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.