IPL 2022 Match 67: RCB beat GT by 8 Wickets to Stay Alive in Playoff Race

IPL 2022 Match 67: Out of form Virat Kohli chose the perfect time to return to form as he smashed a half-century to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore to an 8-wicket victory over table-toppers Gujarat Titans in a do or die match. The win has helped RCB to move to the fourth spot on the points table as they managed to stay alive in the playoff race. However, they still have to be dependent on the result of the Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals clash as if Rishabh Pant and Co. emerged victorious in that contest then they will pip RCB to seal a place in the play-off.

Chasing a 169-run target on Thursday, Kohli enthralled the Wankhede Stadium with his 73-run knock. The 33-year-old struck 2 sixes and 8 fours during his 54-ball stay. He was stumped on Rashid Khan’s delivery as the former RCB captain was looking to finish the game early to improve his team’s NRR which might decide their fate in the playoffs race. He completed his half-century in 33 balls with a magnificent six off Rashid’s delivery.

It was the second time when



Kohli score a 50-plus score this season and interestingly the first one also came up against Gujarat Titans where he scored 58 runs off 53 balls. The 33-year-old didn’t look his fluent best on that occasion but on Thursday he was all charged to play a crucial knock for his team as attacked the bowlers right from the start.

Glenn Maxwell (40*) scored the winning runs for his team as RCB won the match with 8 balls to spare. Dinesh Karthik also remained unbeaten on 2. Maxwell’s blistering 18-ball knock was laced with 2 sixes and 5 fours.

Kohli led the foundation of the massive win alongside skipper Faf du Plessis who scored 44 runs off 38 balls, he played second-fiddle in the 115-run stand for the opening wicket. He was also dismissed by Rashid as the Afghan spinner was the lone-wicket take for Gujarat Titans in their last league-stage contest.