Virat Kohli and Heinrich Klaasen stole the limelight together on Thursday night in Hyderabad with sparkling centuries. But it was Kohli’s team that emerged victorious in the end.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) met against each other at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, completely unaware of the records that the players from their side would make in the ongoing IPL 2023.
After winning the toss, an invitation was given to SRH to bat first and set the target for RCB. During his scintillating knock of 104 runs in just 51 balls, Klaasen displayed his big-hitting prowess, slamming 6 sixes and 8 fours and helping his team to reach the total of 186 for the loss of five wickets.
In reply, Kohli (100) and Du Plessis (71) made the big total look like a cakewalk as RCB reached the finish line with 8 wickets in hand. RCB have now moved to the number four spot in the points table with the better run rate on their side and making their case strong for the playoffs.
They will, however, have to win their next match to stay alive in the competition. And have to pray that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), currently at 15 points, lose their last group stage matches, respectively.
Here are the records that were made last night during SRH vs RCB encounter:
- Kohli from RCB and Klaasen from SRH became the first batters to score centuries for opposing teams in the history of the IPL.
- Kohli scored his sixth century in the IPL. He and Chris Gayle have the joint-most centuries in the league’s history. It was Kohli’s seventh century in all T20s – the most by an Indian in the format.
- Klaasen became the fourth overseas wicketkeeper-batter to score a century in the IPL. He joined the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow.
- RCB openers, Kohli and Faf du Plessis, have scored 872 runs in their opening partnership in IPL 2023. It is the most by an opening pair in an IPL edition. Overall, their tally is behind only Kohli and AB de Villiers‘ 939 in IPL 2016. These are the only two instances in the history of IPL where more than 800 runs are scored in a partnership.
- Kohli equalled Ben Stokes’ record for the most centuries while chasing in IPL history. Both the players have smashed centuries twice while pulling off the run-chase.
