- Shamser Khalid
Kohli's Funny Comment on Partnership with Faf: "It's the Tattoos"
Virat Kohli, the charismatic opener for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), delivered a hilarious comment when asked about his partnership with Faf du Plessis during a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match. Kohli's outstanding performance in the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad not only secured victory for his team but also earned him the well-deserved "Player of the Match" award. In a post-match interview, Kohli shared his thoughts on his partnership with Faf and the incredible support RCB received from the crowd.
Kohli compared his batting partnership with Faf to the one he shared with the legendary AB de Villiers, stating that the feeling is very similar. He humorously attributed their successful partnership to their tattoos, jokingly suggesting that their inked skin may hold the secret to their on-field chemistry. With a partnership that has yielded nearly 900 runs in the current season, Kohli highlighted the understanding they have developed, similar to his previous pairing with de Villiers. He also emphasized the importance of having an experienced player like Faf, who has captained at the international level, at the top of the order for RCB.
The Indian skipper expressed his delight at the overwhelming support RCB received from the crowd during their away game in Hyderabad. He mentioned how the atmosphere felt like a home game, with the fans cheering for the team and even chanting his name. Kohli humbly acknowledged the impact he has on people and the happiness he brings to them through his performances. He credited his authenticity and genuine approach on the field for resonating with fans and creating such a positive connection.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Kohli admitted that he often underestimates his own contributions due to the self-imposed pressure to perform. He shared his perspective on being perceived as just an IPL player and how he believes his consistent match-winning performances speak for themselves. Kohli emphasized that he takes pride in playing the situation at hand and doing what is necessary to secure victories for his team, regardless of external opinions.
Reflecting on the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kohli acknowledged the significance of the game and the challenge posed by the opposition. He praised SRH for posting a competitive total and mentioned that the pitch conditions made it tricky for batting. However, he and Faf managed to provide RCB with an excellent start, surpassing expectations by reaching a partnership of 172 runs. Kohli admitted to having a quiet couple of games previously but expressed his determination to make an impact and showcase his intent to attack the bowlers from the first ball, a strategy he has employed throughout the season.
Shifting the focus to the match itself, SRH faced early setbacks as RCB's Michael Bracewell dismissed Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi, contributing to SRH's early losses. However, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen steadied the innings with their intelligent rotation of strike and powerful hitting. Klaasen's brilliant knock of 104 propelled SRH to a total of 186/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
RCB's bowlers, especially Michael Bracewell, impressed with their disciplined performance. Bracewell claimed two crucial wickets while conceding just 13 runs. Mohammed Siraj, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Harshal Patel also contributed with a wicket each, collectively restricting SRH's scoring opportunities.
Chasing a target of 187, RCB's opening duo of Kohli and Faf dominated the SRH bowlers, forging a magnificent partnership of 172 runs. Kohli's scintillating century off 63 balls and Faf's impressive 71 off 47 balls sealed victory for RCB. Despite the efforts of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T Natarajan, who managed to take a wicket each, SRH struggled to make an impact against the dynamic RCB duo.
