IPL 2023: Why Virat Kohli is leading despite Faf du Plessis' presence in PBKS-RCB face-off
IPL 2023: Why Virat is leading RCB against PBKS despite du Plessis' presence?
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans were treated to a pleasant surprise on Thursday, April 20 afternoon as former skipper Virat Kohli returned to the helm as skipper of the side. Kohli, who previously led RCB was seen taking the captaincy duties at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali against hosts Punjab Kings (PBKS) despite Faf du Plessis being part of the Playing XI.
But why was Virat leading RCB vs PBKS?
Regular skipper Du Plessis was facing a rib issue and was not a match fit but was still called up to the initial squad to play. RCB opted to make use of the ‘Impact Player’ rule which saw Du Plessis being employed as a substitute player and was consequently subbed by Vijaykumar Vyshak. With the former South Africa skipper not available for the entire match Virat took over the charge as full-time skipper for the PBKS clash.
The decision proved to be noteworthy as Du Plessis scored 84 runs off 54 deliveries and missed out on a hundred. His exploits saw RCB put 174/4 on the board while Virat Kohli also scored 59 runs before he returned to the pavilion.
On his captaincy return, Virat also reached two milestones as he scored his 50th fifty for RCB in the IPL. On the horizon, he also joined the 600 fours club in the IPL and looked in great touch before getting out.
)
'She married her brother': Ilhan Omar faces criminal probe over immigration fraud claims
)
Bitter Zelensky snubs Trump for playing politics with Ukraine war | Gravitas
)
India’s imports from Russia jump 57% in five months; China remains top import source
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why European Meteor missiles use ramjet engines compared to standard US solid rockets
)
‘US military task force aiding Saudi Arabia forces with intel, planning support’: Official
)
Top military commanders from US, Israel, and 7 Arab nations held secret meeting on Iran War
)
A big shift in modern air power & control
)
'Definitely feel bad for yourself': Kuldeep Yadav opens up on India Test snubs
)
Delhi schools receive bomb threats in Punjabi, security checks find nothing suspicious
)
China's property crisis deepens as investment plunges nearly 20%
)
What is Hyrox, in news for athlete who soiled herself, but kept running and using common equipment?
)
‘We are sharing some difficult news’: Oracle begins fresh round of job cuts
)
800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks
)
Russia proposes to build 360 kmph Ivolga FG trains in India: What happened on sidelines of BRICS
)
Saudi turns to Israel for intelligence help as Houthi attacks intensify: Report
)
Trump's name cannot return to Kennedy Center, US judge rules
)
Amid AI safety fears, OpenAI, Anthropic and Google move to create standards body
)
471 years ago, a prophecy warned of 'immortal lone brain'. Some think it was about AI
)
2026 El Niño will create new extreme weather patterns. Worse, no one can predict them
)
1,200 Indian and US troops begin high-altitude and desert drills
)
Water equivalent to two Pacific Oceans could be stashed 2,900 km inside Earth
)
Ex-CIA officer caught with gold bars worth $40 million seeks plea deal | Gravitas
)
Imran Khan’s sons accuse Asim Munir of holding ‘personal grudge’ against imprisoned father
)
Trump Calls AI Security Concerns A 'Hoax' | Verdict
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (September 14-20, 2026): Lust Stories 3, Waiting Hai, Irumudi- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
US Treasury yields cross 5% as Scott Bessent warns of ‘global issues’ impacting bonds
)
Who is Kalyan Bainsla, accused in the Gurugram hit-and-run case involving woman biker?
)
Saudi Arabia discovers 110 million tonnes of Uranium-rich ore in Madinah region
)
'Now Trump is copying us': Shivakumar links US $5,000 plan to Congress guarantees
)
Elephants hide behind trees, stage surprise attack on poachers targeting rhinos in South Africa
)
3 wild dogs, 1 epic journey: African brothers trek 4,000 km through Zambia to find a partner
)
West Bengal IPS officer Bushra Bano transferred after objections to ‘Assalamualaikum’, ‘Inshallah’
)
Trump downplays China's alleged 'help' to Iran in strike on Jordan base | Gravitas
)
Spanish officer sent home from NATO base over affair with 'Russian spy' | Gravitas
)
IND vs AFG, 2nd T20I: Reddy, Samson shine as India defeat Afghanistan by 7 wickets to clinch series
)
Extreme warming in Indian Ocean added 695 billion tons of ice to Antarctica ice sheet
Du Plessis, Virat lead the charge with bat
RCB got off to a great start, racking up 137 runs without losing any wickets. However, after the 17th over, they lost two big wickets -- of Virat and the dasher Glenn Maxwell -- in quick succession. RCB lost momentum thereafter and weren't able to lift the scoring rate in the tail-end of their innings. For Punjab Kings, left-armer Harpreet Singh was the pick of the bowlers, snapping up two wickets for 31 runs while pacers Arshdeep Singh and Nathan Ellis took one apiece.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
