Virat Kohli Equals Rohit Sharma in IPL POTM Awards After Unbeaten Century Against KKR

With 21 POTM awards each, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma share third place on the all-time list, trailing Chris Gayle's 22 and AB de Villiers’ 25.

Virat Kohli Equals Rohit Sharma in IPL POTM Awards After Unbeaten Century Against KKR

Virat Kohli matched Rohit Sharma's record for the most POTM awards in the IPL. (via India Today)

In Short
  • Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 105 runs, leading RCB to a six-wicket victory over KKR.
  • Kohli tied with Rohit Sharma for the most Player of the Match awards in IPL history, both with 21.
  • He became the first Indian and sixth overall to surpass 14,000 runs in T20 cricket during the match.

It is impossible to keep Virat Kohli away from runs, as the 37-year-old registered his ninth IPL hundred to take Royal Challengers Bengaluru over the line against Kolkata Knight Riders. Kohli’s unbeaten 105 also helped him surpass an IPL Player of the Match record.

Despite having been dismissed for two consecutive ducks, first by Prince Yadav against LSG, and then by Deepak Chahar against MI, Kohli decisively broke his run-less streak in RCB’s match against KKR. He returned to his stellar form by hitting 105 runs off just 60 balls, which anchored a successful 193-run chase. The defending champions ultimately achieved the target in only 19.1 overs, with six wickets remaining.

KKR, put to bat, posted a first innings total of 192/4, guided by Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s 71 off 46, and Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 49 off 29. During the chase, they were briefly under pressure following the early loss of Jacob Bethell.

However, Kohli, who had already committed to playing aggressively, stitched up a 92-run stand with Devdutt Padikkal (39 off 27). The veteran icon brought up his hundred off 58 balls in the 19th over, and finished with 11 fours and 3 sixes. 

The former RCB skipper, following his match-winning knock, was eventually adjudged Player of the Match, helping him tie Rohit Sharma on an elite list. He is now level with the MI icon for the most POTM awards won by an Indian in IPL history, with both players having 21 each. They are followed by MS Dhoni, who won 18, and Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul, who both have 17 each.

Virat Kohli also shattered his way past a multitude of other records. With a boundary in the 16th over of the chase, the right-hander became the first Indian batter, and only the sixth overall, to cross 14,000 runs in the shortest format of the game. The match against KKR marked the 37-year-old’s 279th IPL appearance, officially making him the most-capped player in the tournament’s history.

Kohli’s also matched Jos Buttler‘s record for the most centuries scored in successful IPL run-chases, with three apiece. Furthermore, he became only the second batter, after the English wicket-keeper, to register multiple hundreds against two different IPL franchises.

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Stunner! Manish Pandey produces fielding magic vs. RCB, leaving Virat Kohli and KKR in awe

Manish Pandey, playing against his former IPL team, RCB, executed a rare moment of brilliance by taking a spectacular one-handed catch to dismiss Tim David. The fielding effort left his KKR teammates in disbelief, and even Virat Kohli found it hard to believe.

Manish Pandey catch leave Virat Kohli shocked
Virat Kohli was left in disbelief at Manish Pandey’s one-handed catch during RCB vs. KKR. (via X)

Pandey, who has played for seven IPL franchises throughout his career, is well-renowned for his fielding reflexes, having taken a staggering 84 catches in 177 matches throughout his career. Despite his team losing the match against RCB, the KKR’s batter’s remarkable one-handed stunner, taken during the 18th over of the second innings, is now being considered a contender to win the Catch of the Season award.

RCB’s Tim David attempted to cut Kartik Tyagi’s delivery towards the backward point, hoping to clear the fielder for a boundary. For a split second, it looked like the ball would race away, until Pandey fully stretched his body low to his left and somehow managed to stick out one hand, catching the ball inches above the ground. Tyagi stood with his hands on his head, while Kohli stood with his mouth wide open. 

David was also left in shock, unsure whether such an effort was even possible. The one-handed effort, however, went in vain, as it came at a time when RCB were in control, and only required 13 runs to win off the same number of deliveries. 

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