Nearly two years removed from stepping away from T20 internationals and about a year after his Test farewell, Virat Kohli is still delivering the same brand of competitive fire. After back-to-back scores that saw him dismissed without runs, the former India captain answered the questions that briefly surfaced with a match-defining display on Wednesday night—an unbeaten 105 from 60 balls. His knock lifted Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket triumph over Kolkata Knight Riders in a successful chase of 193.
Key takeaways
- Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 105 off 60 balls to steer RCB to victory in the chase of 193.
- RCB finished the job by reaching the target with six wickets in hand against KKR.
- Kohli recorded his ninth IPL century, doing it in 58 deliveries without letting momentum slip.
- After earlier ducks, Kohli described the need to stay calm and emphasised finishing the match as the real goal.
- He also highlighted how pressure can be beneficial—helping players stay grounded and improve.
- The innings came in Raipur and marked Kohli’s 10th T20 century, the most by an Indian in the format.
Kohli’s statement knock in Raipur
The chasing chase was set up for Kohli to take control, and he did exactly that. His start was measured, his acceleration came once the required rate demanded it, and he remained composed during the middle overs when the contest threatened to swing. The way he built his innings—steady early, then sharper as the asking rate rose—captured the familiar Kohli template that often makes him so difficult to contain in the IPL.
While Kohli’s ninth century in the league arrived with authority, the landmark itself did not interrupt his rhythm. Instead of easing off after reaching the milestone, he kept the tempo moving, ensuring the chase stayed in RCB’s favour. In Raipur, it was a performance built on timing, selection, and execution—singles and twos gathered with the same conviction as the bigger strokes.
“Pressure is a privilege” — Kohli on mindset and finishing
After sealing the win and moving RCB to the top of the table, Kohli played down the celebration. He stressed that points matter most in the IPL and admitted that failing to contribute with runs in the earlier phase of the season bothered him. For him, the chase was bigger than any personal milestone: whether it’s a hundred or not, the priority is to bring the game to a close.
He also addressed the nerves that can follow a brief dip in form. Kohli suggested that pressure is not something to fear—it can actually be useful. He pointed out that good pressure keeps a player humble and pushes them to raise their standards. When a couple of games go against you, a bit of nervousness tends to appear, and Kohli believes that discomfort can spark improvement.
Craft at the crease and love for the game
Reflecting on how he managed the innings, Kohli credited his approach rather than any extravagant risk-taking. He spoke about simply getting his position right at the crease, sticking to his strengths, picking the right lengths, and targeting gaps he could hit. His 10th T20 century—his highest number in the format by any Indian—was delivered through that disciplined methodology.
Yet beyond the composure and the record-breaking contribution, Kohli made it clear that the hunger is still there. He said he genuinely loves batting and takes pride in competing at the highest level against the best players. Kohli described his commitment as wholehearted—because the opportunity to play at this intensity will not last forever. He also said he looks forward to pressure moments, using them as a chance to challenge himself to go for the big shots.
For Kohli, the motivation remains simple: sport teaches you continuously, and the joy of striking the ball cleanly still exists. That love for the game—combined with an instinct to embrace crucial situations—helped shape the innings that put RCB in control and ensured the chase ended in a win.
