The pressure of an IPL final has a unique way of filtering the great from the legendary. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the stakes could not have been higher at the packed stadium as they chased down the target set by the Gujarat Titans (GT). While finals often produce unexpected heroes, it was the timeless maestro, Virat Kohli, who stepped up to anchor the chase, carrying his bat through the innings to guide RCB to a historic five-wicket victory. In doing so, he ensured RCB became only the third franchise in IPL history – joining the elite company of the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – to successfully defend their title and secure back-to-back championships.
Virat Kohli Setting the Tempo in the Powerplay
Chasing a target of 156 in a final requires a delicate balance of early aggression and calculated risk, a template that Virat Kohli executed to absolute perfection. Opening the batting, he refused to let the Gujarat Titans’ bowling unit settle into a rhythm. While partners traded places at the other end, Virat Kohli dominated the early exchanges, picking gaps with surgical precision and taking a heavy toll on anything slightly off-line.
Virat Kohli’s early boundary assault pushed the opposition captains into defensive fields inside the first six overs. What made his start so impactful was his ability to maximize the fielding restrictions without resorting to reckless slogging, ensuring that RCB remained well ahead of the required run rate from the opening over.
Masterful Control and the Power of the Pull
As the field spread and the middle overs progressed, Kohli put on an exhibition of elite T20 accumulation. Virat Kohli finished with an unbeaten 75 off just 42 deliveries*, operating at a blistering strike rate of 178.57. A deeper look into the analytics of his innings reveals a staggering 88% control rate, a metric almost unheard of in a high-pressure final chase.
Kohli’s most productive weapon of the night was the pull shot, which accounted for 24 of his runs and yielded 5 of his 9 boundaries. The Titans continually tried to test him with a short-ball strategy, but Kohli repeatedly rolled his wrists to dispatch the ball through the mid-wicket and square-leg regions. His final scoring chart was a masterclass in strike rotation and boundary hunting, consisting of 19 singles, a solitary double, 9 fours, and 3 massive sixes.
Battling Through Pain for the Ultimate Finish
The true test of Virat Kohli’s grit arrived in the business end of the chase. As the humidity took its toll, the veteran batter began to visibly struggle with severe cramping, slowing down his usually lightning-fast running between the wickets. Yet, true to his character, he refused to allow the physical discomfort to derail the chase. He stayed out in the middle, fought through the pain barriers, and took the responsibility entirely upon his own shoulders.
Fittingly, with the championship within touching distance, Kohli finished the game in the most grand manner possible, launching a spectacular six to cross the finish line. Earning the Player of the Match honors, Kohli didn’t just win a game; he cemented a dynasty for RCB, proving once again why he remains the ultimate chaser in modern cricket.
Also read: RCB vs GT: Rasikh Salam Dar & Co Restrict GT To Par Score