Tall totals have been chased down in this IPL, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru's nine-wicket win over Gujarat Titans while chasing a 201-run target in Ahmedabad on Sunday is significant for more reasons than one.
The ease with which RCB won the game — their second on the trot — with 24 balls to spare makes one wonder if the misfiring giants are on the resurgence route.
The game is also an affirmation of sorts of how important a role Virat Kohli can play for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Kohli was not the top-scorer for his side — 25-year-old Englishman Will Jacks smashed a sensational hundred — but the former captain's 70 not out off 44 balls was a steady statement of his worth.
That Kohli chose to hit back at the 'strike-rate gang' after the match in his own inimitable style is another story though.
Kohli employed the sweep shot against the spinners to perfection and didn't slow down during the middle overs. India captain Rohit Sharma believes there's no role for an anchor in today's T20 game, but having the assurance of a Kohli, especially when he opens the innings, is invaluable against quality opposition.
It will, however, be injustice to forget about Jacks' 100 not out off 41 balls on Sunday. Jacks went berserk in what turned out be the final over of the game, hammering as many as four sixes and a four off Rashid Khan to close out the game. In total, he smashed as many as 10 sixes.
Earlier, B. Sai Sudharsan made 84 not out and M. Shah Rukh Khan hit 58 as the Titans made 200/3. RCB bowled better in this game.