A masterclass in chasing—Kohli’s sixth IPL century was a blend of precision, power, and perfect timing
On May 18, 2023, in a crucial league-stage encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Virat Kohli scored 100 off 63 balls. This was his sixth IPL century, helping Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secure victory by eight wickets and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
This was not just another hundred; it was Kohli at his peak, combining precision and aggression, timing his innings flawlessly, and ensuring RCB chased down 187 with four balls to spare. It was also a historic match, as both teams featured centurions—SRH's Heinrich Klaasen having previously scored 104 off 51 balls, marking the first IPL game in which batters from both sides achieved three figures.
The target of 187 appeared challenging, but Kohli made his intentions clear from the very first over. Facing Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he struck the opening ball through cover for four. The subsequent delivery was sent past the point. The RCB-heavy crowd in Hyderabad erupted as Kohli signalled that he was in for a big score.
Kohli opened alongside Faf du Plessis, forming a partnership that silenced the SRH bowlers. The duo accumulated 172 runs for the first wicket, marking the season's highest opening partnership. By the time Kohli departed in the 18th over, RCB required only 15 runs from 13 balls, which they comfortably chased down.
Kohli's innings exemplified controlled aggression. He reached his half-century in 35 balls, striking at slightly more than 140, but once there, he accelerated. The final 50 runs came off only 28 deliveries, demonstrating once again why he is regarded as one of the finest chasers in T20 cricket.
What stood out was his ability to rotate the strike in the middle overs. While the SRH spinners managed to temporarily slow things down, Kohli secured boundaries when it mattered.
Kohli struck his sixth IPL hundred in the 18th over, guiding a length ball over midwicket. He lifted his bat to acknowledge the crowd, his partner, and the dugout. This was his first IPL ton since 2019, making it even more remarkable.
With this century, Kohli:
By the time he departed, RCB's victory was all but certain. The win also moved them into the top four, maintaining their playoff hopes.
Credit: moneycontrol
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, Kohli's sixth IPL century remains one of his finest, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. It wasn't merely about the hundred but about pursuing with power, commanding the game, and delivering when it mattered most. This one will always stand out in a career full of memorable IPL moments.
