Bangalore, May 20 (TIWN): Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium was a crucial match for Royal Challengers Bangalore to keep their playoffs hopes alive. Eventually, they did it in style with Virat Kohli rising to the occasion at his vintage best, starring with a 54-ball 73, laced with eight boundaries and two sixes.

What was more game-changing though was the 115-run opening stand between Kohli and du Plessis, the highest partnership put up by these two in IPL 2022. It was a mix of fortune and glorious shots from the duo to seal the deal for Bangalore very early.

Thanks to Kohli running quick off the blocks and quashing queries over his poor form throughout the tournament, with the crowd firmly cheering for the talismanic batter, Bangalore were able to get a flying start, amassing 55 runs in power-play, with 34 of those coming from Kohli’s bat.

It was also just the third time Gujarat failed to pick a wicket in the first six overs.

Kohli took his time to get used to the conditions where Gujarat Titans huffed and puffed to 168/5. He then began his blitz from the third over, lofting Mohammed Shami over his head and then superbly lofting him inside-out over extra-cover.