In the 70th and final match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Gujarat Titans (GT) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by six wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB are now out of the tournament and now Mumbai Indians (MI) have crossed the play-off barrier.
GT skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first, but the city of Bengaluru witnessed greatness from Virat Kohli as he scored his second consecutive century of the season, helping RCB post a strong total of 197/5.
In the chase, GT also got off to a flying start, but Wriddhiman Saha (12) was out in the third over by Mohammed Siraj, but tonight, if it was King Kohli’s classic in the first innings, it was Shubman in the second over. Gill (104)*, also fondly known as the ‘Prince’ of Indian cricket, produced a glorious ton that featured five fours and eight sixes. He also made his second century of the season. He was in charge right from the start where he forged a crucial 123-run partnership with Vijay Shankar (53) that gave the Ahmedabad-based franchise this match.
It was only the second time in league history that both centuries were hit by both sides. For the first time it was done only this season. Gujarat were chasing a total with five balls to spare.
Siraj took two wickets with the ball for RCB while Vijaykumar Vishak and Harshal Patel got one wicket each.
In the first innings, the Bengaluru team once again got off to a very good start as captain Faf du Plessis (28) and Kohli (101)* once again put on a 67-run opening partnership before Afghan-Chinese Noor Ahmad dismissed Du. Plessis in the eighth over. Glenn Maxwell (11) showed his blitz but it didn’t last long as leg-spinner Rashid Khan got him out in the ninth over. The wickets began to fall in quick succession as young southpaw batsman Mahipal Lomror (1) also got out. The team in Ahmedabad started to make inroads but Kiwi batsman Michael Bracewell (26) contributed with his bat with some crucial runs and along with Kohli, he built a 47-run partnership that kept the hosts from catching up. derailed but Mohammed Shami got rid of him. Once again the onus of Bengaluru’s innings rested on the shoulders of the former skipper and King Kohli once again stood with his head held high and smashed his seventh IPL century which featured 13 fours and one six. With this ton, he now has the highest number of centuries in marquee league history.
With the ball for GT, Noor took two wickets while on the other hand Rashid, Shami and Yash Dayal got one wicket each.
Shubman Gill was adjudged Man of the Match for his mighty knock of 104 runs.
Accounts card.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 197/5, Overs 20, Virat Kohli 101*, Noor Ahmad 2/39
Gujarat Titans. 198/4, Overs 19.1, Shubman Gill 104, Mohammed Siraj 2/32