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Virat Kohli will be in focus again when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in match number 54 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, May 9.
Although Faf du Plessis will be leading RCB, the game is being billed as a tussle between two of India’s biggest batting superstars - Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
While MI skipper Rohit is going through a lean patch, Kohli has been among the runs for Bangalore on a consistent basis. In 10 IPL 2023 matches, the star RCB batter has scored 419 runs at an average of 46.56, with as many as six half-centuries. However, his performances have come under the scanner due to his strike rate of 135.16.
In RCB’s previous match against Delhi Capitals (DC) as well, Kohli scored a defiant 55, but his knock came off 46 balls and featured only five fours. The 34-year-old had a strike rate of 119.57 in the innings, which many critics found unacceptable.
The former RCB skipper will look to bat with a lot more authority against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, a venue where he has played some good knocks. Here’s a recap of Kohli's top three knocks in the IPL at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
#3 (73 off 54 vs GT, IPL 2022)
Kohli had a forgettable IPL 2022 season, during which he scored 341 runs in 16 matches at an average of 22.73 and a strike rate of 115.98.
The edition will be remembered for the star batter’s three ducks. However, even in the midst of a slump, he managed to produce a match-winning knock.
In game number 67 of the IPL 2022 edition, Kohli scored a sublime 73 off 54 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT). RCB were set to chase 169 in the match and the right-handed batter guided the team towards victory, striking eight fours and two sixes.
Kohli and Faf du Plessis (44 off 38) added 115 for the opening wicket in 14.3 overs. The former was in his element from the start. He smashed Mohammed Shami for two fours in the third over and clubbed consecutive boundaries off Hardik Pandya in the fourth.
Kohli reached his fifty in style, whipping Rashid Khan for a six over deep mid-wicket. The GT leggie eventually had him stumped, but the batter had done his job as RCB got home by eight wickets in 18.4 overs.
#2 (92* off 62 vs MI, IPL 2018)
Kohli scored a superb 92* off 62 balls against MI in match number 14 of IPL 2018. RCB were chasing a massive 214 and the opener singlehandedly kept the fight alive for his team. He hammered seven fours and four sixes in his wonderful innings.
While Bangalore kept losing wickets at one end, Kohli anchored the innings from the other. He whacked Krunal Pandya for two fours in the second over. One of the standout strokes in his innings was an inside-out six off Mayank Markande. He reached a patient fifty by nudging Hardik Pandya for a single.
Kohli batted till the 20th over and even slapped Jasprit Bumrah for a four and six in the closing stages of the match. However, RCB fell well short of the target, finishing on 167/8.
#1 (82* off 50 vs MI, IPL 2015)
Kohli scored a scintillating 82* off 50 balls against Mumbai Indians in match number 46 of IPL 2015.
RCB batted first in the game and ended up posting a mammoth 235/1. Bangalore lost Chris Gayle for 13 but that was the only wicket to fall in the innings as Kohli and AB de Villiers (133* off 59) added an unbroken 215 runs for the second wicket.
De Villiers slammed 19 fours and four sixes, while Kohli whacked six fours and four maximums. While the South African legend undoubtedly dominated the innings, Kohli also had his moments in the sun.
He clubbed Harbhajan Singh and Jagadeesha Suchith for sixes in consecutive overs. Another maximum came off Jasprit Bumrah as Kohli launched a full-toss over wide long-on.
Kohli was severe on Hardik in the last over of the innings, clobbering him for two fours and a six off consecutive deliveries.
After Kohli and De Villiers’ exploits lifted Bangalore to 235/1, Mumbai Indians were held to 196/7 as Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal claimed two scalps each.
