NEW DELHI: Star Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Virat Kohli received the RCB dressing room 'Player of the Match' award despite their defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL clash at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.
Kohli's exceptional innings of 83 not out in 59 balls, comprising four boundaries and four sixes, earned him this recognition, even though his team ended up on the losing side.
Following the match, Kohli was presented with a gift hamper by his teammate Glenn Maxwell in acknowledgment of his outstanding performance.
Despite RCB posting a competitive total of 182/6 in their 20 overs, KKR's explosive batting display led by Sunil Narine and Venkatesh Iyer propelled them to victory with seven wickets in hand and 19 balls to spare.
Expressing his thoughts after receiving the award in a video shared by RCB's official handle.
"On a more serious note, we had a tough night, we all know that. We are much better than that, so, as long as we accept it, and move forward with the same courage, and the same belief in our skills. That is all we can come up with, so let us stay on that path," Kohli said.
Currently holding the 'Orange Cap' for most runs in IPL 2024, Kohli has been in exceptional form, amassing 181 runs in three innings at an average of 90.50 and a strike rate of over 140.
In the match against KKR, Kohli anchored RCB's innings with notable partnerships alongside Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell, guiding them to a competitive total.
Despite Kohli's stellar performance, KKR emerged victorious with Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, and Venkatesh Iyer playing crucial roles in the successful run chase.
RCB currently are at sixth place in the points table with two points from one win and two losses, while KKR occupy the second position with four points from two wins in as many games.
1/10:IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders cruise to victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru
AP
2/10:Virat Kohli
<p>Virat Kohli's consecutive IPL half-century wasn't enough for Royal Challengers Bangalore as Kolkata Knight Riders secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory.<br /></p>PTI
3/10:Shreyas Iyer
<p>Kolkata chased down the home side's 182-6 with 19 balls to spare, as skipper Shreyas Iyer sealed the win with a calm six off Mayank Dagar.<br /></p>PTI
4/10:Phil Salt and Sunil Narine
<p>KKR's chase began strongly with Phil Salt (30) and all-rounder Sunil Narine (47) sharing an 86-run partnership for the visitors.<br /><br /><br /></p>AP
5/10:Sunil Narine
<p>Narine smashed five sixes in his 22-ball innings before Dagar dismissed him in the seventh over. Salt was caught at deep square leg in the next over.<br /></p>PTI
6/10:Venkatesh Iyer
<p>Venkatesh Iyer's 50 maintained the momentum until he was caught by Kohli, while Shreyas finished the innings with his 39.<br /></p>PTI
7/10:Mitchell Starc
<p>IPL's most expensive player Starc conceded 47 runs for KKR. In two matches, he bowled 8 overs, conceding 100 runs without taking any wickets.<br /></p>PTI
8/10:Faf du Plessis
<p>Du Plessis fell for eight at the end of the second over, scooping a perplexing delivery from Harshit Rana straight into the arms of Mitchell Starc.<br /></p>AFP
9/10:Cameron Green
<p>Cameron Green was the second-highest scorer with 33 runs but was dismissed when he missed a lightning delivery from Andre Russell, crashing off his back pad onto the stumps.<br /></p>AFP
10/10:Glenn Maxwell
<p>Maxwell scored 28 runs from 19 balls after being dropped twice, while Kohli survived a close run-out scare with a well-timed slide.<br /></p>PTI(With inputs from ANI)
