Jaipur: Virat Kohli extended his status as the lone wicket-taker by scoring a record eighth IPL century, but Royal Challengers could only manage 183 for 3 against Rajasthan Royals here on Saturday.
Kohli showed great improvement from his wrist-pulling, powerful swing flick to drive through third man as he remained unbeaten on 113 off 72 balls, having scored 38 per cent of RCB's total runs so far.
Kohli hit 12 fours and four sixes and barring some assistance from his captain Faf du Plessis (44 off 33 balls; 2x4, 2x6), he did not get support from the other batsmen.
After completing his half-century in 39 balls, Kohli stepped up well and took just 2 balls for his next half-century and reached the milestone with a single off Nandra Berger in the final over.
Glenn Maxwell (1) and debutant left-hander Saurav Chauhan (9), who failed to replicate his Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 form, were out cheaply.
Credit must be given to the RR spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin (0/28) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2/34) who kept the proceedings going in the middle overs.Chahal was exceptional as he cleverly deceived the RCB batsmen with his pace and variation by bowling googlies and sliders.
Overall, RCB had their best start so far in this IPL as Kohli and Du Plessis stitched a 125-run opening partnership in the power play for the first time this season.
Both of them added 53 consecutive runs inside the power play, thanks to which Ashwin bowled a brilliant over, who pulled them back by giving just three runs in the fifth over.
Their fast bowler Trent Boult bowled short and Kohli pulled him to field, while Nandre Berger conceded 26 runs in his two overs inside the power play.
Thanks to Ashwin's over, RR took control over RCB, while all the wickets of the visiting team were intact.
Chahal tightened the screws by brilliantly stopping Kohli in the eighth over, where he gave away just four runs.But Du Plessis broke the tie by hitting two sixes off Boult in the ninth over, while Kohli also hit a six against his former RCB teammate Chahal.
Sanju Samson took the gamble of bringing in Riyan Parag against the set opening duo in the 11th over.
The part-time spinner, who bowls with a sling action, also troubled Du before Kohli walked into the stands to complete his third half-century this season. This came on 39 balls.
Ryan had a chance to break the partnership but he dropped a difficult return catch from du Plessis at the score of 36.
Chahal finally broke the opening partnership by dismissing de Plessis in the 14th over.In the same over, Kohli was dismissed for 66, Berger bowled a tough chance at point and then Boult edged a sitter from the South African at extra cover.
However, Buttler made no mistake on the next ball when Du Plessis was out to long-on once again.
He may have failed to impress with the new ball, but Berger made a strong comeback in the middle overs and beat Maxwell with angle and pace to clean bowl the Australian dangerman in three balls.
Kohli showed great improvement from his wrist-pulling, powerful swing flick to drive through third man as he remained unbeaten on 113 off 72 balls, having scored 38 per cent of RCB's total runs so far.
Kohli hit 12 fours and four sixes and barring some assistance from his captain Faf du Plessis (44 off 33 balls; 2x4, 2x6), he did not get support from the other batsmen.
After completing his half-century in 39 balls, Kohli stepped up well and took just 2 balls for his next half-century and reached the milestone with a single off Nandra Berger in the final over.
Glenn Maxwell (1) and debutant left-hander Saurav Chauhan (9), who failed to replicate his Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 form, were out cheaply.
Credit must be given to the RR spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin (0/28) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2/34) who kept the proceedings going in the middle overs.Chahal was exceptional as he cleverly deceived the RCB batsmen with his pace and variation by bowling googlies and sliders.
Overall, RCB had their best start so far in this IPL as Kohli and Du Plessis stitched a 125-run opening partnership in the power play for the first time this season.
Both of them added 53 consecutive runs inside the power play, thanks to which Ashwin bowled a brilliant over, who pulled them back by giving just three runs in the fifth over.
Their fast bowler Trent Boult bowled short and Kohli pulled him to field, while Nandre Berger conceded 26 runs in his two overs inside the power play.
Thanks to Ashwin's over, RR took control over RCB, while all the wickets of the visiting team were intact.
Chahal tightened the screws by brilliantly stopping Kohli in the eighth over, where he gave away just four runs.But Du Plessis broke the tie by hitting two sixes off Boult in the ninth over, while Kohli also hit a six against his former RCB teammate Chahal.
Sanju Samson took the gamble of bringing in Riyan Parag against the set opening duo in the 11th over.
The part-time spinner, who bowls with a sling action, also troubled Du before Kohli walked into the stands to complete his third half-century this season. This came on 39 balls.
Ryan had a chance to break the partnership but he dropped a difficult return catch from du Plessis at the score of 36.
Chahal finally broke the opening partnership by dismissing de Plessis in the 14th over.In the same over, Kohli was dismissed for 66, Berger bowled a tough chance at point and then Boult edged a sitter from the South African at extra cover.
However, Buttler made no mistake on the next ball when Du Plessis was out to long-on once again.
He may have failed to impress with the new ball, but Berger made a strong comeback in the middle overs and beat Maxwell with angle and pace to clean bowl the Australian dangerman in three balls.
