IPL 2023: One of the best counterattacking partnerships I have seen – Virat Kohli on Faf du Plessis-Glenn Maxwell partnership

Royal Challengers Bangalore stand-in skipper Virat Kohli lauded Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell’s stand against Rajasthan Royals at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru after their seven-run win on Sunday.

Kohli and Shahbaz Ahmed, promoted to number three, were dismissed early after the former won the toss and decided to bat first. In came Glenn Maxwell, who was able to hit the ground running, and Faf du Plessis also followed suit.

Maxwell smashed 77 runs from 44 balls whereas Faf scored 62 runs from 39 balls as both of them batted at the top of their game and took RR bowlers to the cleaners. In fact, RCB reached 101-2 at the halfway stage as both of these experienced right-handers played at their best.

The pair added 127 runs for the third wicket off just 67 balls. Maxwell scored six fours and four sixes whereas Faf smashed eight fours and two maximums in his knock.

Kohli feels the alliance between Maxwell and Faf du Plessis was better than what they had put up against Chennai Super Kings because of the conditions which were on offer.

“I think this counterattack was even better than [the one in the] Chennai game,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation. “Because, the Chennai game, the conditions were brilliant to bat on, but today, I got out first ball, so that pushed us back a little bit; then Shahbaz [Ahmed] tried to get going [but] he got out, and then the pitch wasn’t so easy.

“The way Maxi came out and batted was unbelievable. He took the game away from the opposition within a span of four overs. And then Faf followed suit as well, their partnership was just amazing. One of the best counterattacking partnerships I have seen, especially given the conditions.

“I know [in] evening games, we’ve seen a lot of these [partnerships]. But to bat in those conditions with the ball getting scuffed up and the pitch getting slower, that was the difference in the game eventually.”

The RCB veteran gave credit to the partnership between Maxwell and Faf for putting them in a commanding position.

“We thought, at one stage, 160 might be enough but because of how they batted,” Kohli said. “We could get to 190 and be a little more comfortable even though we had to defend under lights, as I said, for the second half of their innings. So, it was that partnership that completely put us in a commanding position in the game.”

On the other hand, Kohli also showered praise on Mohammed Siraj, who got the big wicket of Jos Buttler in the very first over. Kohli feels their bowling will be more potent once Josh Hazlewood will get into the team.

“Phenomenal. We know that he [Siraj] has gotten him [Buttler] in the past as well,” Kohli said. “He’s bowling as well as I’ve ever seen him bowl. Running in with that new ball, you can see that body language, that intent that he has, any pitch that he’s bowling at, any conditions, he believes that he can pick up wickets and he is. He has the Purple Cap and there is a good reason for it. He’s leading our attack for now until Josh comes in, hopefully, next game, and he’s done an absolutely tremendous job and I’m super happy to see him bowl like this.”

RCB will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday.