Virat Kohli “comes out trying to hit a six”: Mohammad Kaif concludes ‘intentions’ debate

Virat Kohli once again rose higher but this time with an impressive strike rate of 195 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a 60-run victory against Punjab Kings on Thursday. Kohli’s 47-ball 92 was the cornerstone of RCB’s innings as he starred in two partnerships – 72 off 32 balls with Rajat Patidar (55 off 23 balls) and 92 off 46 balls with Cameron Green (46 off 27 balls). to propel RCB to 241/7. Virat’s knock also settled the raging debate surrounding Virat’s strike rate and intent. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that the fact that Kohli walked out while trying to hit a six at 92 ends the debate surrounding his intention in the shortest format of the game.

“Virat Kohli 92 off 47 balls comes out trying to hit a six in the 18th over. The strike rate and intentional debate around team man must stop now,” Kaif posted on X (formerly Twitter)

Virat Kohli 92 off 47 balls comes out trying to hit a six in the 18th over. The strike rate and intention debate surrounding the team man must stop now.

-Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 9, 2024

Kohli, who fell for 0 and 10, timed the ball well, used his feet and wrists to score his sixth IPL fifty this season. He reached his mark in 32 balls, before hitting another 40 in the next 15 balls. He hit seven fours and six maximums.

Patidar, who was also given two lives, provided the initial impetus by hitting six maximums and three fours during his 23-ball 55.

After Patidar’s dismissal, Kohli and Green continued the attack to take RCB past the 200-mark. Green hit five fours and a six before being caught off the final ball as RCB scored 77 in the last five overs.

Pacer Vidhwath Kaverappa (2/36) took two wickets in the powerplay on his IPL debut but his figures could have been much better had the fielders not dropped three catches off his bowling.

Kohli fell off the third ball but Kaverappa dismissed Faf du Plessis (9) and removed Will Jacks (12) but PBKS failed to create pressure as Sam Curran (1/50) and Harshal Patel (3/38) leaked runs.

Patel, who had bowled Patidar, conceded three boundaries in his first over as RCB scored 56 in the powerplay.

After that, it started raining sixes as Kohli and Patidar hit maximums each to spoil Kaverappa’s bowling numbers.

Patidar then hit spinner Rahul Chahar for three powerful maximums before depositing Arshdeep and Sam Curran for two more sixes, the latter bringing up his fifty off 21 balls.

With Patidar on fire, RCB crossed 100 in the ninth over. Curran, however, got rid of Patidar in the tenth over when rain briefly halted play.

After the resumption, Kohli completed his fifty and hit Livingstone for two fours.

Green brought up 150 with a four from Patel. Kohli then went wild as he swept Livingstone for a six, while Curran was deposited at mid-wicket for a maximum of 94 meters. He sent one for a long time to another at most.

Dinesh Karthik (18) made a cameo before Patel claimed three wickets in the last over.

With PTI inputs