IPL 2024: “He played selflessly” – Ambati Rayudu on Virat Kohli’s 113* against Rajasthan Royals

Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu said Virat Kohli played selflessly in his unbeaten knock of 113 runs off 72 balls against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur on Saturday. After being put to bat by RR skipper Sanju Samson, RCB posted 183 runs, thanks majorly to Kohli’s eighth IPL century.

Kohli added 125 runs with skipper Faf du Plessis, who scored 44 runs from 33 balls. However, after Faf was dismissed, Kohli didn’t get support from the other end as Maxwell was dismissed for a solitary run whereas debutant Saurav Chauan scored nine runs. RCB could only manage 55 runs in the last five overs as they failed to capitalize despite having wickets in hand.

Kohli completed his hundred off 67 balls, which is the joint slowest in the IPL history and he was criticized for his not upping the ante. The talisman scored his runs at a strike rate of 156.94. Rayudu said Kohli played for the team but didn’t get the support from other batters.

The former CSK batter said on Star Sports, “For me, it is one of the finest hundreds of his career. He played selflessly; he played for the team. He could have gotten out while trying to score fours and sixes, but he did what the team needed.”

Kohli was the lone warrior for RCB and Rayudu added that the other batters are simply not contributing, which is leading to the team’s downfall. Rayudu questioned Dinesh Karthik’s batting position and Mahipal Lomror’s absence in the playing XI.

“The problem is not Virat’s strike rate but the performance of the remaining batters. They are not simply contributing. What was Dinesh Karthik doing in the dugout? He should have come before Maxwell and Green. Mahipal Lomror, who played a crucial role in their only win, is not even a part of the Playing XI.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will next take on Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.