Punjab Kings took on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in an electrifying game of the IPL 2023 from the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. For RCB, it was not Faf du Plessis, their regular skipper, who is captaining the side. Virat Kohli, amidst loud cheers from the fans , was captaining the side in Du Plessis’ absence due to a knock to his ribs.
On his return to captaincy in the IPL after 2021, Virat Kohli came back with a bang as he showed that his captaincy skills went nowehere. In the very first over of the second innings, Mohammed Siraj trapped Atharva Taide plumb in front of the stumps. However, the umpire gave it not out. Kohli then immediately went for the review, and after checking the third umpire declared it out.
In Siraj’s second over, he once again trapped a PBKS batter, this time being the dangerous Liam Livingstone. The umpire, this time too declared not out, as Kohli went upstairs once again. Kohli was successful yet again as Livingstone departed for just 4 runs.
Virat Kohli’s immaculate captaincy was appreciated by one and all. Even regular skipper of RCB, Faf du Plessis could not help but admire the star Indian batter’s captaincy. He was seen in the dugout smiling and applauding as Livingstone got out.
Virat Kohli last captained RCB on 11th October 2021, and fans witnessed him in action after 2 years as the skipper of the side. Du Plessis, only batted in the first innings, and was replaced by impact player Vijaykumar Vyshak in the second innings. RCB batted first and managed to scored 174 in the first innings. Du Plessis top scored with 84 while Virat Kohli registered his fourth half century of the IPL 2023.
The openers got off to a great start for RCB but some tight bowling from PBKS at the death restricted them to under 180.
