Virat Kohli elaborates on cautious century approach in RR vs RCB Match: 'The pitch felt Ffat from outside, but...'

Royal Challengers Bangalore's star batsman, Virat Kohli, delighted fans by scoring an unbeaten 113 runs off 72 balls in a match against the Rajasthan Royals, marking the first century of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Kohli's impressive performance also extended his record for the most centuries by a batsman in IPL history, now totaling eight centuries. Additionally, his innings propelled him to the top of the Orange Cap leaderboard, with 316 runs in five matches, a feat unmatched by any other player so far.

Pitch challenges and strategy shifts

Despite his slow start, Kohli revealed that the pitch conditions influenced his approach to the game. He explained that while the pitch initially seemed flat, it gradually changed during the match, particularly affecting the spinners' deliveries. This unexpected shift forced Kohli and his teammates to adapt their batting strategies accordingly.

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Kohli emphasized the importance of assessing the pitch and adjusting their target accordingly. Initially aiming for a higher score of 190-195 runs, the team recalibrated their strategy as they realized the pitch was slowing down. Kohli and his opening partner, Faf du Plessis, prioritized building a solid partnership and ensuring at least one of them remained at the crease until the end.

Individual performance amidst team struggles

While Kohli excelled with the bat, scoring the majority of RCB's runs, he received limited support from the rest of the team. Apart from du Plessis' contribution, the other RCB players struggled to make significant impacts on the match.

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Kohli highlighted his mature approach to batting, emphasizing adaptability and patience over aggressive play. He explained that he focuses on playing according to the conditions and situation of the game rather than following a predetermined aggressive strategy. Kohli's experience and understanding of the game allow him to adjust his gameplay accordingly, maximizing his chances of achieving successful totals for his team.

RCB, having won only one match out of four, are in urgent need of victories to revive their campaign in the IPL 2024 season. In contrast, their opponents, the Rajasthan Royals, remain undefeated in three games, presenting a formidable challenge for RCB to overcome.