Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered a major setback as they were knocked out of the IPL 2023 tournament after losing their last league stage match against Gujarat Titans. Despite Virat Kohli’s brilliant century, his efforts were in vain as Shubman Gill, the young batter for GT, also scored a hundred and guided his team to a six-wicket victory. This loss meant that RCB’s hopes of winning the title were dashed, while Mumbai Indians secured their spot in the playoffs.
Kohli’s century showcased his exceptional batting skills, but it wasn’t enough to carry RCB to victory. It was another disappointment for Kohli, who has been unable to lead RCB to IPL glory throughout his tenure with the franchise. Following RCB’s exit, former England captain Kevin Pietersen took to Twitter and suggested that Kohli should consider leaving RCB and join the Delhi Capitals, the team based in his hometown.
Pietersen’s tweet created a buzz on the internet, with fans sharing their opinions and speculations. Interestingly, during the inaugural IPL season in 2008, there were rumors that Kohli, a Delhi-born cricketer, would be acquired by the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) during the auction. However, RCB ended up selecting him, and he has been associated with the Bengaluru-based franchise ever since.
In the match against GT, Kohli’s century came off 61 balls, powering RCB to a total of 197 for five. However, Gill, hailed as the future of Indian batting, outshone Kohli with his unbeaten 104 off just 52 balls. His stellar performance helped GT chase down the target comfortably. This was Gill’s second consecutive century, solidifying his position as a rising star in Indian cricket.
With this win, Gujarat Titans finished the league stage with 20 points, securing the top spot. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) claimed the second position with 17 points, edging out Lucknow Super Giants due to a better net run rate. Mumbai Indians also made it to the playoffs after their comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, accumulating a total of 16 points.
In the crucial moments of the match, with GT needing 34 runs off three overs, Gill’s powerful shots, including a short-arm jab off Mohammed Siraj, sealed the deal for his team. Kohli, watching from the dugout, couldn’t hide his disbelief as Gill’s batting prowess shattered RCB’s hopes.
As the IPL playoffs approach, RCB will have to regroup and reflect on their performance, while Mumbai Indians, GT, CSK, and Lucknow Super Giants will battle it out for the title. For Kohli, it will be a disappointing end to the tournament once again, fueling speculation about his future with RCB and the possibility of a move to the Delhi Capitals.
