Kohli's century and du Plessis' fifty took Hyderabad flying
A place in the play-offs is a must-win affair - with Royal Challengers Bangalore facing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last two matches of the first round. Bengaluru won against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first match today. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis stormed Hyderabad. After playing for the target of 187 runs, they won by 10 wickets.
Kohli-du Plessis attacked the Hyderabad bowlers right from the start in pursuit of runs. Both scored 64 runs in 6 overs of power play. They scored 100 runs in 68 balls. Kohli got the first century in this year's IPL. The Indian batsman, however, got out the very next ball after getting the century. Earlier, he hit 12 fours and 4 sixes in a 63-ball 100-run innings.
Kohli also set a record in today's century. This is his sixth century for Bengaluru in the IPL. He has surpassed Chris Gayle and Jos Buttler in the record for the highest century by a batsman for a specific team in the IPL. Earlier, Gayle scored 5 centuries each for Bengaluru and Buttler for Rajasthan Royals.
The opening pair of Kohli and du Plessis scored 172 runs off 108 balls. Du Plessis also did not stay on the wicket for long after his partner left. He returned with 71 runs off 37 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes two balls after Kohli's dismissal. After that, Glenn Maxwell and Michael Bracewell took the team to victory without letting any wicket fall with 4 balls in hand.
In the earlier scheduled 20 overs, Hyderabad could score 186 runs for 5 wickets with Heinrich Klaasen's 51-ball innings of 104 runs. Batting at number four, Klaasen scored 8 fours and 6 sixes. Harry Brook (27) is Hyderabad's second highest run scorer after Klaassen.
Bengaluru are fourth with 14 points from 13 matches after the win against Hyderabad. Fifth-placed Mumbai's points are also equal at 14 matches. With 15 points in 13 matches, Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants are in second and third place respectively.Gujarat Titans are the only team with 18 points in 12 matches. Bengaluru will confirm the playoffs only if they win against Gujarat on Sunday.