IPL 2024

‘After Mumbai and Chennai, we’re the third team to…’ – Virat Kohli shuts down criticism for Bangalore in Indian T20 League with eye popping statement

It was a happy homecoming for Virat Kohli and Bangalore as they trounced Mumbai by 8 wickets in their first Indian T20 League 2023 game. Kohli was in full flow as he scored an unbeaten 82 off 49 balls with six fours and five sixes. The stroke-filled innings helped his side cross the line. Alongside captain Faf du Plessis, Kohli put together a 148-run partnership for the first wicket. Bangalore coasted to the target in 16.2 overs.

After the win, Kohli gave a huge reminder that Bangalore is a force to reckon with in the Indian T20 League. He said after Chennai and Mumbai, Bangalore has made it to the playoffs the most number of times, 8. The franchise has made it to the top four thrice in the last three seasons.

Every seat was full when we walked in here – Virat Kohli on playing at home in Bangalore

“I wanted to mention this for a while – after Mumbai who have 5 titles and Chennai who have 4, if I’m not wrong, we are the third team to have qualified the most times to the playoffs – 8 times. Take one game at a time and try to be a balanced side which we are and we would look to execute our plans as we did tonight,” Kohli said after the game concluded. The former Bangalore skipper then spoke about the packed crowd at the M Chinnaswamy stadium. The home games had returned to Bangalore after a three-year gap.

“I thought it was a phenomenal win, a homecoming after 4 years. Couldn’t have asked for a better game,” he said in the post-match presentation. “Phenomenal, it was a packed crowd, every seat was full when we walked in here. Very important we started off well, their support propelled us and that makes a massive difference.” Bangalore has not won an Indian T20 League trophy in 15 seasons.

Mumbai suffered first-game blues as well. They continued to lose their first game in the Indian T20 League. It has been happening for the ‘Paltan’ since 2013. This was Mumbai’s eleventh consecutive defeat in the first game of an Indian T20 League season. This was Bangalore’s fifth win against Mumbai in the last six matches. Bangalore recorded a third victory against Mumbai at home in eleven matches.