‘Very similar to AB and me batting together’ – Virat Kohli on batting with Faf du Plessis as they post highest partnership of IPL 2023 against SRH

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore. (Photo Source: IPL)

After a tremendous assault on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 65 of Indian Premier League 2023, Virat Kohli, who shone with the willow with his first IPL century of the ongoing season, opened up on what it felt like to bat with RCB skipper Faf du Plessis. 

As the duo hammered 172 runs for the first wicket while chasing 187 runs in a must-win encounter, Kohli could be seen lavishing praises on du Plessis in the post-match presentation, where he was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’.

Speaking on the occasion, Kohli said that playing with du Plessis was like playing with AB de Villiers with whom, Kohli shared quite a rapport, as the duo gave effect to many match-winning partnerships for RCB, throughout the course of AB’s stay with the franchise. Kohli further mentioned that both players had great game awareness and they knew where the game was and how to carry it forward. 

“Very similar to how AB and me batting together. There’s a good sense of where we are and how to take the game forward. It’s been a beautiful transition,” said Kohli. 

Kohli added his first IPL hundred in four years, scoring 100 runs off just 63 deliveries. His innings was studded with 12 fours and four maximums. Du Plessis, on the other hand, complemented Kohli with a blistering 71-run innings played off just 47 deliveries, as the duo charged upon the SRH bowlers right from the word go. They added 172 runs for the first wicket before Kohli fell prey to Bhuvneshwar Kumar while attempting to clear the ropes.

Notably, the partnership of 172 is the highest in the ongoing season for any wicket. Interestingly, it is the same duo that sits in the second place as well, with 148 runs amassed in their very first match against Mumbai Indians. Third on the list is the 147-run stand between Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, brought up in their lavender-jersey game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Glenn Maxwell (5*) and Michael Bracewell (4*) scored the winning runs, as RCB defeated SRH by eight wickets.

My intent from ball one was to go after the bowlers: Virat Kohli

Coming into the game, RCB desperately needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. As Heinrich Klaasen wreaked havoc on the RCB bowlers with a dashing century, it came down to the top-heavy RCB batting unit to carry out the retaliatory work. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis were right at it, as the duo gave SRH no room to make a comeback.

Speaking further about his innings, Kohli revealed that he intended to go after the SRH bowlers right from the start. He also said that he had a couple of games where he wasn’t able to hit as well as he was in the hitting in the nets. He also said that he doesn’t like to play fancy shots and that he should have given himself more credit for playing impactful knocks for the franchise.

“I had a quiet couple of games and wasn’t hitting as well in the game as I was in the nets,” Kohli said.

“My intent from ball 1 was to go after the bowlers. There was a dip but I wanted to take it up in the right time. Happy that it all came together nicely. I never look at my numbers. I don’t give myself enough credit sometimes for playing impact knocks. I take pride to play the situation. I don’t play fancy shots,” he added.