Fans of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had a chance to experience a memorable night on Monday, but instead, it ended up being a forgettable one as their team lost to Gujarat Titans (GT) despite their hero Virat Kohli scoring a century for the second game in a row. The Mumbai Indians edged RCB out of the final playoff spot in the IPL 2023, so the loss marked their final game of the season.
However, there was a lingering fear that the ramifications of the match would be felt later on when India plays Australia in the World Test Championship next month. Virat Kohli limped off the field after appearing to injure his knee while fielding during Gujarat Titans’ innings. He sat out the rest of the game, with an ashen expression, as Shubman Gill scored his second consecutive century, leading GT to victory. Virat Kohli was then seen hurling his water bottle in frustration after Gill hit the winning runs before returning to the field to congratulate the GT players. Later, he joined the rest of the RCB team in walking around the ground and thanking the fans at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Indian fans’ worries about Virat Kohli ‘s willingness for the WTC final were later allayed by RCB head coach Sanjay Bangar. “Yeah, his knee ached,” the witness said. However, I don’t think anything significant is happening. Bangar stated at the press conference following the game, “Having scored 200 in four days.”
“He is someone who wants to contribute not only with the bat but also in the field.” He was constantly on the move. He bowled 40 overs a couple of days ago and today for 35 overs. He was giving it his all. So it will bother me at some point, but I don’t believe it will be serious.”
Virat Kohli extended his innings by catching Vijay Shankar, who had scored 53 off 35 balls in the 198-run chase. Shankar and Gill’s 123-run partnership came to an end. Gill finished the game with an unbeaten 104 off 52 balls. He drove in the winning runs with a six, giving him his second consecutive century of the season. RCB scored 197/5 after Virat Kohli scored 101 off 61 balls. This was Kohli’s second consecutive century of the season, as well as his seventh in the IPL. Kohli now has the most centuries in tournament history, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous record of six.
