Royal Challengers Bengaluru overhauled a commanding run chase against Gujarat Titans, with Virat Kohli crediting a crucial middle-overs stand as the turning point of the match. Chasing a big target of 206, RCB found their momentum through a decisive 115-run partnership between Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal and clinched a five-wicket win on Friday in Bengaluru. Their stand completely shifted the balance in RCB's favour. Kohli led from the front with an excellent 81 off 44 deliveries. His innings was filled with eight boundaries and four sixes, putting RCB in complete dominance. Speaking after the match, Kohli emphasised how partnerships are often the backbone of successful chases.
"I mean, we had to assess the wicket early on. Because A, they have a quality bowling attack; and B, with a chase of 200 (206) in Bangalore, we know we're only one partnership away. I think the conversation between me and Bethell was to try and analyse the first couple of overs, what's going on, and then try and take the game on from there. I think that Dev done it twice this season – where he's come in and absolutely played a blinder from ball one."
Padikkal played an equally important role, rotating strike effectively and showing game awareness with a crucial 55 off 27. Together, the duo dismantled the Gujarat bowling attack during a critical stretch of the innings.
"You know, the first boundary off Rabada was magnificent. And he has the game awareness and the ability - especially in conditions like ours - to be able to play good cricketing shots and hurt oppositions striking over 200, which is quite rare, to be honest. You never see him slogging the ball," Kohli said.
"I was just trying to stay in the game enough so that he doesn't feel all the pressure. And it was my responsibility to try and hit boundaries at the right times. And, yeah, that partnership was the game sealer and the game changer for us eventually," he said.
Notably, for his match-winning knock, Kohli was named player of the match. More importantly, Royal Challengers Bengaluru climbed to second place with their fifth win in seven matches.