IPL 2024, RR vs RCB: Virat Kohli Describes His Record Hundred as 'Just Experience and Maturity'

Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 113 off 72 balls to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) post 183/3 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday.

Kohli enhanced his status as a lone ranger by notching up a record-extending eighth IPL century as the IPL GOAT showed superb improvisation, from his wrist-rolled pulls, and powerful swat flicks to steer through third man. Kohli has scored 38 per cent of RCB’s total runs so far.

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At the mid-innings break Kohli revealed that batting was not as easy as he was making it look.

“The wicket looks quite different from the outside. It feels like it’s flat, but the ball is holding up in the pitch, that’s when you realise the pace changes it,” Kohli told the broadcaster.

Kohli smashed 12 fours and four sixes and barring the assistance received from his skipper Faf Du Plessis (44 from 33 balls; 2×4, 2×6), he did not get any support from the other batters. After reaching his fifty in 39 balls, Kohli stepped up well and took just 28 balls for his next fifty as he reached the milestone with a single off Nandre Burger in the penultimate over.

“One of us (him or Faf du Plessis) had to bat till the end,” Kohli said.

Kohli added: “I feel this total is effective on this pitch.”

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When asked about his approach, Kohli said: “I am not coming in with any premeditation. I knew I couldn’t go over aggressive, just that I had to keep the bowlers guessing. It’s just experience and maturity of playing the conditions.”

“Even if there’s dew, the surface is rough and dry, won’t be easy for the batters. I couldn’t get under the ball against (Ravichandran) Ashwin. Couldn’t slog towards mid-wicket, so had to target straight down the ground,” he added.

(With inputs from Agencies)