- Kohli dropped on zero, then scored 81 off 44 balls.
- Gavaskar: Dropped catch of Kohli cost Gujarat Titans dearly.
- Kohli reached 800 fours and 300 sixes in IPL history.
Sunil Gavaskar On Virat Kohli IPL: Gujarat Titans (GT) looked in control after posting a strong total of 205/3, but a defining moment came right at the start of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) chase. In the opening over, Virat Kohli was handed a lifeline when he was dropped on zero by Washington Sundar off Mohammed Siraj’s bowling. That missed chance quickly turned into a major setback. Kohli capitalised on the opportunity in style, going on to anchor the chase with a superb innings of 81 from just 44 deliveries. His knock ultimately steered RCB towards a successful pursuit in what was high-scoring contest.
Gavaskar Reacts To Missed Opportunity
Former India captain and 1983 World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar was quick to highlight the importance of the dropped catch, stressing how costly such errors can be when it comes to a batter of Kohli’s calibre.
“You drop him on the first ball, then he will definitely make you pay. That is exactly what he did. After that dropped catch, what a knock he has played,” Gavaskar said speaking on JioHotstar.
He further emphasised Kohli’s ability to thrive in run chases, particularly when given a clear target to work with.
“That dropped catch of Virat Kohli off Siraj’s bowling definitely cost Gujarat Titans a lot. We all know he is not just known as a king. He is known as a chase master as well. He loves these kinds of situations where he comes in to bat, knows the target, and can play according to the situation,”
Kohli Reaches Milestones In Match-Winning Knock
Kohli’s innings was not just crucial for the result but also historic in terms of personal milestones. During his stay at the crease, he became the first player in IPL history to register 800 fours, while also becoming only the third cricketer to cross the 300 sixes mark in the competition.
He found strong support from Devdutt Padikkal, who chipped in with a quickfire 55 off 27 balls. Their contributions ensured that RCB maintained control of the chase despite the pressure of a steep target.
RCB Climb Table As GT Face Concerns
The victory has propelled RCB to second place on the IPL points table, continuing their impressive run in the tournament. In contrast, GT are left to reflect on missed opportunities in seventh place, particularly their inability to defend a sizeable total.
While their top-order continues to deliver, concerns remain around their bowling, especially in the death overs where their economy rate has been among the weakest in the league. As the tournament progresses into a crucial phase, addressing these issues will be key to keeping their campaign on track.
