Virat Kohli’s only century of IPL 2024 was a reminder of his unmatched class
The 2024 Indian Premier League unfolded with its usual rollercoaster of emotions for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Yet, for Virat Kohli, this season was particularly special. He clinched the prestigious Orange Cap, finishing as the top run-scorer, proving once again why he’s considered the face of IPL cricket.
Among his numerous highlights, one performance shone the brightest: a brilliant, unbeaten century of 113 runs off just 67 balls against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. This innings was a blend of patience, fierce aggression, and relentless spirit. Unfortunately, even Kohli’s remarkable display couldn’t lift RCB from their familiar struggles.
RCB managed to score 183/3, with Kohli alone contributing an astonishing 61% of that total. However, the Rajasthan Royals easily chased the target, leaving Kohli’s incredible performance as nothing more than a beautiful yet solitary moment in an otherwise disappointing match.
Kohli struck 113 off 67 balls, marking the best score by any RCB batter in IPL 2024 and the slowest century in IPL history, showcasing his capacity to anchor the innings on his own.
This was his eighth IPL century, solidifying his status as one of the finest IPL batters. Kohli accounted for 61.7% of RCB’s total runs, with no other batter scoring more than 50 runs, while Faf du Plessis supported him with 44.
To top off his already stellar record, this inning also marked Kohli’s ninth T20 century overall. Despite his outstanding performance, RCB was unable to defend a total of 183, as the Rajasthan Royals, led by Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 100, successfully chased it down with five balls to spare.
Kohli began his innings conservatively in response to RCB’s ongoing problem with losing wickets that season, initially focusing on rotating the strike with du Plessis and identifying gaps.
During the Powerplay (Overs 1-6), he scored 36 runs with a strike rate of 150, establishing a solid foundation. Kohli took measured risks in the Middle Overs (Overs 7-15), hitting boundaries against spinners such as Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin.
As the innings entered the Death Overs (Overs 16-20), he decimated Avesh Khan, scoring 24 runs in the bowler’s final two overs. Despite a poor start, Kohli flourished in the last five overs, helping RCB post a competitive total. However, due to the middle order’s lack of finishing ability, the total failed to appear intimidating.
Although RCB had a difficult season, Kohli was the top scorer of the league and clinched the Orange Cap once again. He amassed 741 runs at an impressive average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69, including five fifties and one century. While Kohli’s remarkable consistency was evident throughout the season, his team’s ongoing struggles remained a significant concern.
Credit: NDTV
Kohli’s 113 in Jaipur wasn’t just another century but a vivid reflection of RCB’s season. One man stood tall while others faltered. He claimed the Orange Cap, yet the coveted trophy remained out of reach.
As the IPL 2025 approaches, a lingering question surfaces: Will RCB finally build a strong first XI around Kohli’s exceptional talent, or will we witness the same old story?
