Kohli masterclass leads Bengaluru to IPL title defence in style

Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass performance, scoring an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a five-wicket triumph over Gujarat Titans and retain their Indian Premier League title on Sunday.

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Such is the demand of the sport today. You have these super young players pushing you all the time and asking you to change your game and up the ante.

Bengaluru, building on their maiden title win last year, comfortably chased down Gujarat's modest total of 155-8. The defending champions posted 70-2 in the powerplay, with Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer (32 off 16) providing a strong start. Kohli, known as the 'chase master,' reached his fastest IPL fifty and steered Bengaluru home with a six, despite requiring medical attention for a leg injury.

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It’s an exciting situation because it gives you something to improve on, something to work towards. And I just take a lot of pride in getting better and just trying to figure out areas where I can improve.

Gujarat struggled to gain momentum after losing key openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan early, reaching only 45-2 in the powerplay. Despite Washington Sundar's unbeaten 50, the team failed to post a competitive total. "We lost a couple of early wickets and then we kind of lost the momentum in the middle, couldn't really get going," said Gujarat captain Gill.

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I think if we would have gotten close to 180-190, it would have been a good match.

Bengaluru's bowlers were disciplined, with Rasikh Dar taking three wickets and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood claiming two each. Kohli, named player-of-the-match, reflected on the evolving demands of the sport, stating, "Such is the demand of the sport today. You have these super young players pushing you all the time and asking you to change your game and up the ante."

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We lost a couple of early wickets and then we kind of lost the momentum in the middle, couldn’t really get going.