The Royal Challengers Bangalore have produced a brilliant show on Thursday as the side beat the table-toppers Gujarat Titans by 8 wickets to keep their hopes for a playoffs berth in the 2022 Indian Premier League. While chasing a 169-run target, RCB opener and former captain Virat Kohli has finally scored a big one, slamming a quickfire 73 off 54 deliveries, while Faf du Plessis (44) and Glenn Maxwell (40*) also scored well to take the side to an 8-wicket win as well.
However, the Gujarat Titans were the first team to qualify for the playoffs and even if they lost against RCB, that wouldn’t have impacted their position in the league as well. However, after Matthew Wade showed his anger at his batting equipment (helmet and bat) after a controversial LBW decision that went against him, Hardik Pandya got frustrated after Glenn Maxwell pulled out of his stance, due to a sight screen issue as well.
However, Hardik Pandya had already started his run-up when the Australia batter moved and signalled him to stop. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, who was at the non-striker’s end has also tried to stop Pandya as Maxwell didn’t take the strike. Pandya, who had a bad day at the office with the ball (0/35 in 3 overs), threw the ball in anger as well.
— Cricket fan (@Cricketfan093) May 21, 2022
Earlier, Hardik Pandya had remained unbeaten on 62 off 47 balls as the Gujarat Titans put 168/5 in 20 overs against RCB as well. However, with this win, RCB moved to fourth place in the points table with 16 points also.
After the win, Virat Kohli said: “I can keep going. It was an important game. I was disappointed that I haven’t done much for my team and that is what bothers me, not the stats. Today was a game where I was able to create an impact on the team. Puts us in a good position. There are expectations because of the performances that you have put in. You need to keep the perspective right. You can forget the process in order to live up to the expectations. I have worked really hard.”
“I batted 90 minutes in the nets yesterday. I came in very free and relaxed. It is in that spur of the moment why is it happening to me. It goes back to 2018 in England when I was dropped on 21 and the juggernaut could have started again like it did on the 2014 tour. I won’t be standing here being ungrateful for all that I have achieved. With the very first shot of Shami, I felt I could hit length balls over the fielder’s head. I knew that tonight was the night when I could kick on. It has been wonderful that I have got so much support in this edition. I am forever grateful for all the love that I have never seen before,” he further added.