Published: Apr 02, 2023, 11:53 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 02, 2023, 11:53 PM (IST)
Bangalore:Â Scintillating half-centuries from Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore’s comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in an IPL 2023 match, marking a happy homecoming at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, here on Sunday.
As RCB took the field in Chinnaswamy Stadium after 1247 days, chants of the franchise engulfed the whole arena. To their credit, RCB didn’t disappoint at all, as bowlers got wickets in power-play and middle overs to keep Mumbai to 171/7, though young Tilak Varma shined with an outstanding 84 not out off just 46 balls.
In reply, du Plessis and Kohli put out an exhibition of majestic strokeplay and rattled Mumbai’s bowling attack to enthrall home fans. While du Plessis made 73 off 43 balls, including five fours and six sixes, Kohli was in sublime touch to be 82 not out off 49 balls, laced with six fours and five sixes to chase 172 in 16.2 overs to get their IPL 2023 campaign off to a winning start.
Today was also the 12th anniversary of India’s World Cup victory in 2011. The fans were already living in nostalgia and the moment went surreal when Virat Kohli’s match-winning shot replicated the iconic World Cup-winning six of MS Dhoni.
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#WorldCup2011 #ViratKohli? pic.twitter.com/DMrsJV2fiW— Rachit (@rachitkatariya_) April 2, 2023
Virat kohli finishes of in style♥ï¸#ViratKohli?â™¥ï¸ pic.twitter.com/fg8UhyWKfj
— Mohit Singh (@MohitSi51307626) April 2, 2023
Virat Kohli finish the match with a SIX on iconic day when India won 2011 World Cup and MD Dhoni finish with a SIX.
The Tribute from the King Kohli.#ViratKohli? #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/guKdPh66q0
— I’m always with u (@Dawoodkh0786) April 2, 2023
The Black Squad . #7 and #18 .
Kohli na potu vachutu pongal sapdravan nenachiya ?
Kasimedu Kohli da! Palaya records lam eduthu paaru!#IPL2023 #rcb #RCBvsMI #ViratKohli? #ViratKohli #Virat #Kohli #Faf #Rajinikanth #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/Xt6kJk7Hop
— Atman (@Curiouskolandha) April 2, 2023
The six of Kohli had an uncanny resemblance with MS Dhoni’s six and this has turned the whole internet upside down. Fans all over are sharing Kohli’s picture along with Dhoni to show the similarity between the two shots.
VIRAAAATTTT KOHHLLIII FINISHES OFF IN STYLE. @imVkohli ???#RCBvsMI | #MIvsRCB#ViratKohli? #TATAIPL2023 #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/eZlA7NCZrN
— Raja Gurjar (@Raja_Gurjar921) April 2, 2023
Virat was the highest run-scorer for RCB and played a crucial role. In the match, he also reached a new milestone and completed 3000 runs as the IPL opener and the day just got better with Dhoni’s finishing six.
Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 171/7 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 84 not out; Karn Sharma 2/32) lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore 172/2 in 16.2 overs (Virat Kohli 82 not out, Faf du Plessis 73; Arshad Khan 1/28, Cameron Green 1/30) by eight wickets.
