IPL 2024: Virat Kohli comes at par with MS Dhoni in elite list after RCB beat PBKS

Virat Kohli's 49-ball 77 stood tall for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in chase of 177 versus Punjab Kings (PBKS) in match 6 of the IPL 2024 edition on Monday (March 25), at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Opting to bowl first, Faf du Plessis-led Bengaluru restricted Shikhar Dhawan & Co. for 176-6. In reply, the home side were given a good platform from Kohli before Dinesh Karthik (10-ball 29*) and Mahipal Lomror (8-ball 17*) finished proceedings in style in 19.2 overs. With a four-wicket win, RCB are off the mark in the ongoing edition.

Kohli ended as the Player-of-the-Match (POTM) and equalled Chennai Super Kings (CSK) superstar MS Dhoni in an elite list. Both Kohli and Dhoni have now won the POTMaward on 17 occasions in IPL history. Here is the overall list, spearheaded by RCB great AB de Villiers.

1. AB de Villiers - 25
2. Chris Gayle - 22
3. Rohit Sharma - 19
4. David Warner - 18
5. Virat Kohli - 17
5. MS Dhoni - 17
6. Yusuf Pathan - 16

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At the post-match presentation, Kohli stated, "And I thought I need to play correct cricketing shots. Playing across the line wasn't working. Disappointed I couldn't finish the game. Was in the slot but sliced it to deep point. Not a bad start - playing after two months and getting into the tournament."

Kohli-starrer RCB will now gear up for their next clash where they will host rivals Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in match 10 of the ongoing edition on Friday (March 29). They will aim to make it two wins on the trot.