Picture Credit: X/IPL
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are seeing a late surge in IPL 2024, keeping their playoffs berth alive in the ongoing tournament. In their last match, the Faf du Plessis-led side beat Gujarat Titans by nine wickets to register their second consecutive win and third overall in IPL 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
In their 201-run target, while Virat Kohli played a scintillating 44-ball unbeaten 70, Will Jacks overpowered Kohli’s knock with an unbeaten 100 off 41 balls. The England all-rounder hit the winning six to reach his maiden IPL century and fifth fastest in IPL history by balls faced.
With Rashid Khan bowling the 16th over of the RCB inning, Jacks smashed Khan for four maximums and one boundary. With the 25-year-old needing six runs to complete a century, while RCB needing just one run to win the match, Jack unleashed his prowess and smashed the ball over deep-midwicket. Soon after this monstrous six, Jacks jumped as he punched in air before Virat Kohli joined in to celebrate the crucial ton with a bear hug.
Watch Virat Kohli celebrate Will Jacks’ century vs GT:
Glad to be watching the game from other end: Virat Kohli on Will Jacks ton
The Indian batter also heaped praise of the 25-year-old who initially struggled to play the ball but later smashed the GT bowlers all-round the park. In the post-match presentation, Kohli said, “Phenomenal, I mean when he initially came onto bat, he was a bit annoyed that he wasn’t able to strike the ball as cleanly as he wanted to, but the only conversation between us in the middle was to keep backing, keep committing because we know how explosive he can be.”
“My role completely changed as soon as he got that big over off Mohit, for good, I was glad to be watching the game from the other end,” he added. The Faf du Plessis-led side, who continue to reel at the bottom most spot in IPL 2024 standings, will next take on Gujarat Titans in a reverse fixture at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on May 4, Saturday.