IPL 2024: Kohli's 51 pushes RCB 206 runs against SRH

RCB’s Virat Kohli during his 51 against SRH in Hyderabad yesterday. Pic/PTI

Left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat came up with a lively spell (4-0-30-3) on a flat wicket as Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 206-7 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday. It was the same wicket where Sunrisers Hyderabad hit that 277-3 against Mumbai Indians but 32-year-old Unadkat applied the brakes in the middle overs to stop RCB in their tracks.

RCB skipper Faf de Plessis won an important toss and straightway opted to bat so that they could put pressure on SRH, forcing captain Pat Cummins to make a bit of adjustment for bowling first on this flat wicket.

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Virat Kohli and Du Plessis meant business as they hammered Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 14 runs and then struck 19 runs in Cummins's first over. However, left-arm seamer H Natarajan broke the partnership by dismissing Du Plessis (12 ball-25). RCB suffered a second blow as Will Jacks was bowled while trying to sweep leg-spinner Mayank Markande.

Rajat Patidar took the bull by its horns. Exuding confidence, he enlivened the proceedings by hitting four successive sixes in Markande's third over even as Kohli decided to play an anchor's role, getting his 50 in 37 balls. The bowler conceded as many as 27 runs in that over. Patidar got to his 50 (2x4, 5x6) in 19 balls. But then, as seen in this tournament, he threw away his wicket immediately when he flicked the Saurashtra left-arm seamer's full toss straight into Abdul Samad's hands at square-leg.

RCB suddenly lost the momentum as SRH bottled up Kohli and Cameron Green. A frustrated Kohli was deceived by Unadkat's slower bouncer to be caught at deep mid-wicket. Unadkat, who was exceptional with his variation, had the RCB batters in knots. He claimed his third wicket as left-hander Mahipal Lomror was held in the deep.

Brief scores
RCB 206-7 in 20 overs (V Kohli 51, R Patidar 50, C Green 37'; J Unadkat 3-30) v SRH (scores incomplete)