June 1, 2023

Sports

Former India captain Virat Kohli smashed a masterful century as his Royal Challengers Bangalore thumped Sunrisers Hyderabad – for whom South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen hit a ton of his own – by eight wickets in the IPL on Thursday.

It was the first time in Indian Premier League history that both sides have scored a century in a game.

The win leaves Bangalore in control of their own destiny in the race to the playoffs, moving up into the fourth and last qualifying spot.

They are tied with Mumbai Indians on 14 points but have a superior net run rate with one game to go – at home to table-topping Gujarat Titans on Sunday.

Kohli started his innings with two consecutive fours as Bangalore chased the hosts’ 186-5, and went on to hit another 10 boundaries and four sixes.

He brought up his sixth IPL ton – equal top with Chris Gayle – and first since 2019 smashing a six over deep midwicket off Bhuvneshwar Kumar after 62 balls.

IPL 2023: Virat Kohli equals Chris Gayle for most centuries in the history of Indian Premier League

The player popularly known as “King Kohli”, but whose form has varied in recent years, raised his bat and fell to his knees in celebration.

He was caught at…

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