NEW DELHI:
Virat Kohli
played a superb knock of 77 to help
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
clinch a four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday. With this win, RCB opened their account in
IPL 2024
after suffering defeat in the season's opener against Chennai Super Kings.
Kohli, who smashed 11 fours and two sixes during his 49-ball stay at the crease, single-handedly led RCB's chase before Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror sealed the deal with an unbeaten 48-run stand. RCB made 178 for six with four balls to spare.
Kohli has been adjudged player of the match for his knock and also takes the orange cap for sitting top of the list of highest run-getters of this season.
"Don't get overexcited, it's just two games. I know what this (orange cap) means. It's been going on for years. People talk a lot about playing the sport. At the end of the day you don't talk about the achievements, stats or numbers but the memories. It's what Rahul Dravid says. The friendship, love, appreciation, backing has been amazing and is what you'll miss and never forget," Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
Kohli got off to a flying start but changed the momentum when RCB lost quick wickets. He opined that you have to play according to the situation and also expressed his disappointment of not finishing the match.
"In T20, I'm opening, I try to give a blazing start. But when wickets start falling, you have to play the situation. The wicket wasn't as flat as normal here. Couldn't hit balls across the line. Disappointed not having finished it off but not bad having a bad start. If bowlers are hitting length, you have to create momentum, come down."
Kohli also emphasized that he still possesses the skills required to excel in
T20 cricket
.
"I know my name is often used to just promote the T20 game across the world when it comes to T20 cricket these days but I still got it I guess."
English (US) ·