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Sad image of Virat Kohli sends cricket world into a frenzy

The mercurial batter has done everything possible in the IPL.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Virat Kohli looking sad in the dug out and Kohli speaking to reporters.
Virat Kohli (pictured) cut a dejected figure in the IPL after his century was not enough to help the Bangalore's make the playoffs. (Images: IPL)

The cricket world has felt Virat Kohli's pain after watching the mercurial batter slumped in the dug out after his epic T20 century wasn't enough to advance the Royal Challenger Bangalore's to the IPL play-offs. On Friday, Kohli dug deep and scored a century off 63 balls to help his franchise chase down 187 after 19.2 overs to keep their hopes alive in a close table.

And the short-format king once again showed why he will go down as one of the sport's greatest ever players when he scored another 101 not out, off 61 balls, to help the Bangalore's to a solid total of 5-197.

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Kohli hit 13 fours and one six on his way to back-to-back centuries as the remainder of the team struggled to stay with him. Aussie Glenn Maxwell only managed 11 runs off five balls, while South African Faf du Plessis did his best to support the great Indian with 28 runs off 19 balls at the top of the order.

While many would backed the Bangalore's to get over the line with soil total, Titans star Shubman Gill matched Kohli's effort and blasted a 104 not out at an incredible strike rate of 200. This includes eight sixes in the blockbuster innings.

Gill had a little more support than Kohli withVijay Shankar also hitting a half century off to help the Titans reach 198 with five balls to spare. The Titans chased down the total with six wickets in hand.

And it was the sad image of Kohli during the game that had the cricket world feeling for the maestro. Kohli cut a dejected figure in the dig out after giving his all in the previous two games of the season.

Virat Kohli hits back at T20 critics

Following the match, Kohli addressed the critics that have claimed his short-format game has been on the decline. Kohli claimed he feels like he is on some of the best T20 form of his life and showed that throughout the tournament, which saw him pass the 50 mark eight times.

On the other hand, South African Du Plessis admitted the team fell short after failing to score big in the final overs. "Very disappointed, Du Plessis said.

"When you get to the last game of the campaign you want to make sure you get through. Shubman Gill, amazing to get 100. I thought 190 was a good score. Virat played an unbelievable knock to give us a chance. And we needed that wicket of Shubnam to feel like we were really in the game."

Virat Kohli celebrates his century.
Virat Kohli (pictured) scored back-to-back centuries for the Bangalore's, but it wasn't enough to see them progress to the playoffs. (Photo by MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Du Plessis praised the form of Kohli and Maxwell throughout the tournament, but said the team need to build on the platform the top order provides.

The Titans will now play the Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier. The Lucknow Super Giants will play the Mumbai Indians in the first eliminator.

Kohli will now turn his attention to the Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval on June 7 against Australia.

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