RCB vs GT: Virat Kohli hits 54-ball 73 as RCB beat GT to stay in the hunt for IPL 2022 playoffs
India Today
RCB vs GT: Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell combined to keep RCB in the fight for the playoffs in the Indian Premier League. Virat scored 73 off 54 while Maxwell hit a blizzard 40* off 18 balls.
Virat Kohli hit 73 off 54 balls as Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Gujarat Titans by 8 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday to stay in the race for the IPL 2022 playoffs. RCB won their 8th match of the season to finish the league stages with 16 points from 14 matches.
Gujarat Titans would be disappointed with their performance on Thursday night but they are already assured of the No.1 spot after collecting 20 points from their 14 league games.
Virat Kohli smashed 8 fours and 2 sixes (both off Rashid Khan) to end a lean patch while Faf du Plessis, the RCB captain scored a 38-ball 44 in a 115-run opening partnership.
Both men were dismissed by Rashid Khan but Glenn Maxwell took RCB home with a delightful cameo. Earlier in the evening, Maxwell had taken 1 for 28 off his 4 overs. He finished with an unbeaten 40 off 18 balls to end the game.
Hardik Pandya won the toss, decided to bat and then top-scored for Gujarat Titans with an unbeaten 62 off 47 balls. GT, who were the first team to have qualified for the IPL 2022 playoffs, finished with 168 for 5 after important contributions from Wriddhiman Saha (31) and David Miller (35). Rashid Khan played a cameo with 19 not out off 6 balls to help GT finish strong.
Josh Hazlewood (2 for 39) was the pick of the bowlers for RCB while Wanindu Hasaranga bowled economically and bowled his 4 overs for 25 runs and picked the wicket of the dangerous Rahul Tewatia.
Virat Kohli (73 off 54 balls) roared back to form with a rapid half-century and added 115 for the opening wicket with Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis who scored 44 off 38 balls. Thanks to a sensational first wicket stand, RCB chased down the target of 169 and kept themselves in the hunt for the IPL 2022 playoffs.
