Indian Premier League: Kohli's best enough to seal Bangalore's win over Hyderabad

An unbeaten 93 helps the hosts overcome the Sunrisers' target of 161 with ease in the end.

A file picture of Royal Challengers Bangalore's Virat Kohli from last year's IPL. Manan Vatsyayana / AFP

Toss Hyderabad, chose to bat

Hyderabad White 52, Perera 40; RP Singh 3-27

Bangalore Kohli 93 not out, Agarwal 29; Steyn 0-16

Virat Kohli played a captain's knock of 93 not out to lead by example for Royal Challengers Bangalore as they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad at home this evening.

Set a stiff target of 162, Kohli negotiated the middle overs when couple of wickets seemed to derail Bangalore's chase but then stepped up to register his highest score in the tournament in just 47 balls.

With five overs to go and with 45 needed, Kohli hit Amit Mishra for a couple of sixes and a boundary to take 21 off the over. He followed it up with three boundaries from Thisara Perera to take the team to victory with 14 balls to spare.

It was a perfect revenge after Bangalore had lost to Hyderabad two days back in the super over.

The second win in three matches came after the local fans were left disappointed when big-hitting Chris Gayle was out for just 13.

AB de Villiers, stepping off a plane hours before the game, came in at the fall of Gayle's wicket. He (15) maintained a good runrate with Kohli but was caught trying to hit for a second six.

For Hyderabad, Australian Cameron White and Sri Lanka's Perera provided the impetus with an 80-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Captain Kumar Sangakkara has failed to capitalise on good starts to make a big score in the tournament since last season. He departed again, this time for 23, with the team 62 for three at the midway stage.

But a quickfire half-century from White - 52 in 34 balls with three fours and sixes - and some lusty blows from Perera (40 with four sixes and a boundary) took Hyderabad to post a healthy total of 161 for six in their 20 overs. Rudra Pratap Singh added two quick wickets, including that of Perera, towards the end to finish with 3-27 as the best bowler for Bangalore.

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