Star batter Kohli leads thrilling IPL cricket season win

After registering a thumping 8-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians (MI), chasemaster Virat Kohli said that the win against five-time champions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is the perfect homecoming for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and they couldn't have asked for a better game for it.

Kohli's unbeaten 82 and Faf du Plessis' 73 helped Royal Challengers Bangalore register a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 2 to start their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 campaign with victory. The former India captain played an unbeaten knock of 82 in 48 balls which was decorated with six 4s and five 6s. Kohli also locked in milestones in his side's opening match in the IPL 2023 as he completed 800 boundaries in the IPL.

"I thought it was a phenomenal win, a homecoming after 4 years. Couldn't have asked for a better game. We bowled well for the first 17 overs but then credit to their batters, especially Tilak who batted really well. It was a very comprehensive win and we wanted to win with balls to spare as it will benefit the NRR. Phenomenal, it was a packed crowd, every seat was full when we walked in here," Virat Kohli said in the post-match presentation.

"I think he was a phenomenal, phenomenal spell from him, that's brave bowling after getting the left-hander out [on Karn Sharma]. He was bowling so well for us last year but he couldn't play. Even in the nets he was not getting hit for sixes, hats off to him for coming and playing after so long, to perform against such a strong MI side at the Chinnaswamy is great for him," Kohli added.

Kohli said RCB need to build on the momentum from the opening victory for the rest of the tournament.

(ANI)