Virat Kohli created history by scoring a century against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday. He has become the Indian to score the most centuries in IPL. Kohli also equalled Chris Gayle’s record of scoring the maximum number of centuries in the IPL with six.
Number ’18’ has been very special for Kohli. On 18th May, i.e. yesterday, he scored a century against Hyderabad. Even before this, on 18th May, he scored a century in the IPL. Also, Kohli’s jersey number is ’18’. Kohli revealed during a show that initially, 18 was just a number given to him, but over the years, the number has formed a ‘lucky connection’ with his life.
Virat Kohli said, “To be honest, 18 started as just a number that was given to me when I first saw the India U-19 jersey with my name and number on it. But it turned out to be a very important number in my life. I made my debut for India on 18th August (2008). My father also passed away on 18th December, 2006. Two of the most important moments of my life happened on the 18th. Even though I got the number before that, but it seems that there is some connection of mine with this number and this date.”
The year 2016 was great for Virat Kohli. He scored 973 runs in 16 matches that season at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152. That match was played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings on 18th May 2016. In that match, Kohli scored 113 runs in 50 balls with the help of 12 fours and eight sixes. That was Kohli’s fourth century in IPL.
On 18th May 2023, Kohli scored the sixth century in IPL after 19th April 2019. He scored the fifth century in 2019 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Then he scored 100 runs in 58 balls at a strike rate of 172. At the same time, against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday, Kohli scored 100 runs in 63 balls at a strike rate of 158.73 with the help of 12 fours and four sixes.
So far this season, Kohli has scored 538 runs in 13 matches at an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 135.85. With the win over Hyderabad, the Bangalore team has reached fourth in the points table. Their last match is against Gujarat Titans on 21st May.
