Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis guided the Royal Challengers Bangalore to an eight-wicket win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL on Thursday.
Kohli scored 100 off 63 balls and Du Plessis 71 off 47 as RCB reached their target of 187 with four deliveries to spare.
Du Plessis is the leading run-scorer in this year’s tournament, with 702 in 13 matches, including eight fifties, at an average of 58.50 and a strike rate of 153.94.
Earlier, Heinrich Klaasen smashed 104 off 51 balls as the Sunrisers posted 186-5. Klaasen has made 430 runs in 11 matches at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 179.16.
WATCH: Klaasen hits IPL hundred
It was the first time in IPL history that both sides have scored a century in a game.
The win leaves Bangalore in control of their own destiny in the race to the playoffs, moving up into the fourth and last qualifying spot.
They are tied with the Mumbai Indians on 14 points but have a superior net run rate with one game to go – at home to the table-topping Gujarat Titans on Sunday.
Kohli started his innings with two consecutive fours, and went on to hit another 10 boundaries and four sixes.
He brought up his sixth IPL ton – equal top with Chris Gayle – and first since 2019 smashing a six over deep midwicket off Bhuvneshwar Kumar after 62 balls.
The player popularly known as “King Kohli”, but whose form has varied in recent years, raised his bat and fell to his knees in celebration.
A magnificent CENTURY by Virat Kohli ??
Take a bow, King Kohli!
His SIXTH century in the IPL.#TATAIPL #SRHvRCB pic.twitter.com/gd39A6tp5d
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2023
He was caught at cow corner on the very next ball attempting another slog.
“My intent from ball one was to go after the bowlers,” he said afterwards. “There was a dip but I wanted to take it up in the right time. Happy that it all came together nicely.
“I’m myself on the field and think it resonates with the people. Great to see people happy when I perform.”
Du Plessis fell four balls later, and their 172-run partnership gave the duo the most runs in an IPL season for an opening pair.
It was a bitter disappointment for Klaasen, who brought up his maiden IPL ton after just 49 balls – the second-fastest ever for his bottom-of-the-table franchise — with a six off Harshal Patel.
Two balls later he was out for 104.
“Pretty special feeling, fantastic crowd, glad I got it at home,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman, who hit a 54-ball ODI century for South Africa against the West Indies in March.
All the IPL teams have now played 13 games each, with the last round of league matches kicking off on Friday.
Gujarat have 18 points and will finish top. The Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, with 15 points each, are favourites to take two of the remaining qualification spots, but Bangalore can claim second place if they beat Gujarat and other results go their way.
Three other teams – the Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings – are on 12 points, and have only mathematical chances of qualifying.
