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Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Virat Kohli became the first batter in IPL 2024 to score a century. Playing against the in-form Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Kohli took 67 balls to complete the first hundred of this season. Before this knock, the hig hest scorer of IPL 2024 was Shubman Gill, who scored 89 in 46 balls against Punjab Kings.
Despite having a poor record in this venue, Kohli got off to a positive start by scoring quick boundaries against the likes of Trent Boult and Nandre Burger before targeting all RR bowlers. Showing off his class, Kohli hit nine fours and four sixes as he reached the three-figure mark.
Virat Kohli scores 113 in 72 balls against RR in IPL 2024
With this knock, Kohli has now hit 99 hundreds in professional cricket, including 54 List A, 36 first-class and nine T20 centuries. The former RCB captain ended the innings at a score of 113 in 72 balls and the team's total to 183.
It's just experience and maturity of playing the conditions: Virat Kohli
After this knock, Virat Kohli spoke about how he played the conditions as he completed his century against the Rajasthan Royals. Speaking in the mid-innings interview, Kohli said, "The wicket looks quite different from the outside. It feels like it's flat, but the ball is holding up in the pitch, that's when you realise the pace changes. One of us (Virat or Faf) had to bat till the end. I feel this total is effective on this pitch. I am not coming in with any premeditation."
"I knew I couldn't got over aggressive, just that I had to keep the bowlers guessing. It's just experience and maturity of playing the conditions. Even if there's dew, the surface is rough and dry, won't be easy for the batters. I couldn't get under the ball against Ashwin. Couldn't slog towards mid-wicket, so had to target straight down the ground."
