On Monday, Virat Kohli of India and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) became the fourth-highest run scorer in Twenty20 cricket.
During his team’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Virat achieved this feat.
Virat’s 61 runs in 45 deliveries were classic. He scored runs at over 138 with four fours and four sixes.
With two half-centuries, the batsman has scored 164 runs in three IPL 2023 matches at an average of 82.00 and a strike rate greater than 147. His highest tournament score is an 82. Since making his T20 debut in 2007, Virat has become a T20 legend. He has amassed 11,429 runs in 362 matches and 345 innings at an average of 41.11 and a strike rate of 133. In the shortened format, he has tallied six centuries and 86 half-centuries, with the highest score being 122.
Virat has 6,788 runs in 226 matches and 218 innings at 36.69.
Notably, Virat has scored the most runs in T20Is. In 115 matches and 107 innings, he has scored 4,008 runs at an average of 52.73 and a strike rate of 137.96. At the international level, he has scored one century and 37 half-centuries, with the highest score being 122. The 34-year-old has amassed 6,788 runs in 226 matches and 218 innings with an average of 36.69 and a strike rate of 129.0. In the cash-rich division, he has five centuries and 46 half-centuries, with the highest score being 113.
Regarding T20 cricket as a whole, the highest five run-getters in the format are as follows: Chris Gayle (14,562 runs in 463 matches at an average of 36.22 and a strike rate of 144.75 with 22 centuries and 88 half-centuries and a best score of 175, which is the highest in the format)
Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik (12,528 runs in 510 matches at an average of 36.00 and a strike rate of 127.55 and 77 fifties with the best score of 95), former West Indies all-rounder (11,392 runs in 382 matches at an average of 33.80 and a strike rate of 138.53, eight centuries and 77 fifties with the best score of 172). RCB posted a colossal 212/2 in their 20 overs after LSG put them in to bat to start the match. Virat Kohli (61 off 45 deliveries, 4 fours and 4 sixes) and Faf Du Plessis, the captain, formed a 96-run partnership in 69 balls during the powerplay.
From that point on, the captain accelerated and scored 115 runs with Glenn Maxwell in just 50 deliveries. Faf scored an immaculate 79 off 46 balls, including five fours and five sixes, to remain unblemished. Maxwell scored 59 with three fours and six sixes off 29 deliveries. Dinesh Karthik was unblemished on 1. Mark Wood (1/32) and Amit Mishra (1/18) contributed to LSG’s dismissals. In the first four overs of their run pursuit for 213 runs, LSG were reduced to 23/3. However, KL Rahul (18) and Marcus Stoinis had a 76-run partnership that changed the outcome. Stoinis scored 65 off 30 balls, composed of six fours and five sixes, in a hurry.
Virat Kohli moves up to fourth place on the all-time Twenty20 batting list.
Nicholas Pooran increased his aggression after KL and Stoinis were dismissed, scoring 62 off 19 deliveries with four fours and seven sixes. Together with Ayush Badoni, who scored 30 runs off of 24 deliveries, he scored 84 runs in rapid succession. In the final over bowled by Harshal Patel, the equation was reduced to five runs after he conceded a single on the first delivery and a victim on the second. The third and fourth balls were taken for a double and a single. On the penultimate delivery, Unadkat was dismissed, reducing the equation to one run per ball. Harshal failed in his attempt to run out Ravi Bishnoi from the non-strikers’ end.
The final delivery was a bye, giving LSG an exhilarating one-wicket victory. Mohammed Siraj was the best performer for the RCB, capturing 3/22 in four overs. On his IPL return, Wayne Parnell claimed 3 for 71. Harshal captured two wickets but conceded 48 runs in four overs. Karn Sharma captured 128 runs in three overs. This victory propels LSG to the summit of the table with three victories and one loss in four games. They have six points in total.
RCB is in seventh place with two points after one victory and two defeats in three games. Pooran was named “Player of the Match” for his game-altering hit. Royal Challengers Bangalore 212/2 (Faf du Plessis 79, Virat Kohli 61; Amit Mishra 1-18) versus Lucknow Super Giants 213/9 (Amit Mishra 1-18). (Marcus Stoinis 65, Nicholas Pooran 62; Mohammed Siraj 3-22).
