For the first time in four years, the Royal Challengers Bangalore welcomed the Mumbai Indians at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, but it was a battle within a battle that stole the show. Everyone was looking forward to the matchup between Virat Kohli and Jofra Archer, which the globe saw on Sunday night.
As Kohli dealt Archer a severe punishment and ruined his IPL 2023 comeback in the process, there was only one winner in the end, and he belonged to the victorious squad.
Some glimpses from Virat Kohli 82(50)* vs Mumbai Indians yesterday pic.twitter.com/1kywaxDGXY
— Ananay Sethi (@Ananaysethi3) April 3, 2023
In the fourth over of the RCB innings, Kohli and Archer faced off, and drama began with the very first delivery. Kohli made no attempt to contain himself and immediately attacked Archer. Kohli attempted a bullish drive but misjudged the ball, hitting it direct back at Archer, who failed to make the catch.
Kohli continued to play flawlessly from that point on, scoring 28 runs off the 17 deliveries he faced from the England pacer. While everyone in the RCB camp appeared to appreciate Kohli’s dominance over Archer, Dinesh Karthik seemed to enjoy it a little more than others. At any rate, that is what his remark implies.
The celebration from RCB team and Virat Kohli.🥹❤️pic.twitter.com/pmIyF6DLe1
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) April 3, 2023
After having been dropped, Kohli went into overdrive and hit Archer for a four and then smacked him straight down the ground for a six off the very next delivery. In the second session of the MI pacer, Kohli continued to score runs, flicking another four and pulling Archer over deep mid-wicket and into the stands.
The first round of the IPL match this year was won by Kohli, who ruined Archer’s statistics. In actuality, Kohli’s 28 runs, which he achieved at a strike rate of 165, were the most any batter had ever scored against Archer in a T20 game.
“Look I think that is Virat Kohli. He sees the big dog in the opponent and realises that he wants to take him on. That’s the guy he wants to take on, makes a statement, steps out and hits him over mid-on. Not many people can say they have stepped out to Jofra and hit him over covers. The pull shot that he got, just the way he dominated.”
