On Saturday, Virat Kohli made his first century in the Indian Premier League of this year by leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a 183-3 victory over Rajasthan Royals.
The top batsman was asked to bat first in the 19th match of the T20 competition in Jaipur. He reached his ninth IPL century in 67 balls and finished with an undefeated 113.
Kohli reached the three-figure mark with a single off Nandre Burger and took off his helmet and raised his bat to cheering crowd.
“I don’t want to be over-aggressive, want to keep the bowler guessing. They want me to go hard and get me out,” Kohli said after the knock.
“It’s just experience and maturity. I play the conditions and have the game ready.”
As he and captain Faf du Plessis put on an opening stand of 125 runs, with the latter hitting 44, to create the groundwork for the total, Kohli struck his third fifty-plus of the season.
With a six off of 39 balls, Kohli scored his half-century by smashing Riyan Parag below the belt.
Yuzvendra Chahal gave a catch to long-on and Du Plessis fell. To check the surge, Burger shortly bowled Glenn Maxwell for one.
Throughout his 72-ball innings, which included three fours in the last over, Kohli remained resolute and responded with four sixes.
With 316 runs in five games, the former captain of India solidified his place atop the batting table this year.
With Bengaluru sitting eighth in the 10-team standings after three losses and one victory, Kohli is still waiting for his maiden IPL championship.
