NEW DELHI: After coming from a two-month paternity break, batting run machine Virat Kohli scored a match-winning 77 off 49 balls and handed Royal Challengers Bengaluru a four-wicket victory against Punjab Kings at the M.
Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This was RCB’s first win in the tournament.
Virat, who smashed 11 boundaries and two sixes, deservedly walked away with the Player of the Match award.
Following RCB’s maiden win, Virat was seen engaging in a video call with his family members. Displaying evident delight and jubilation, Virat showered flying kisses during the call, radiating happiness.
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“I know my name is nowadays quite attached to just promoting the game in many parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket.
But, I’ve still got it, I guess,” said the 35-year-old father of two in the post-match presentation.
His comments come in the backdrop of never-ending media speculation surrounding the team’s composition for the big event to be jointly hosted by the USA and the West Indies starting June 1.
“Well I mean you have to (make additions to your game),” he said when asked about going aerial against the pacers on the off-side.
“People know I play the cover drive pretty well so they’re not going to allow me to hit gaps and with guys like KG (Kagiso Rabada) and Arshdeep (Singh) as well, he’s tall.
So, I mean, if they’re hitting length, you have to create some momentum in the ball.
“And once you’re closer to the ball, you kind of negate the bounce that’s going to happen. You meet it earlier. So, I mean, you have to come up with a game plan here and there and try to keep improving your game,” he explained at the post-match presentation.
Virat had missed the five-match Test series against England as he was overseas for the birth of his second child.
The long break allowed him to spend much needed quality time with his family and not being recognised on the streets was something that he enjoyed the most.
RCB will now face Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.