We rub off each others’ energy: RCB skipper Faf du Plessis on his bond with Virat Kohli

In a contest from which a win was imperative in the context of the points table for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli and RCB skipper Faf du Plessis stepped up and what followed suit was an onslaught of the highest order, leaving the Sunrisers Hyderabad in a tale of woe albeit a spirited display in the first innings from their finest of the season, Heinrich Klaasen.

Batting first, SRH would post 186/5 as Heinrich Klaasen (104) would dish out an absolute masterclass to conjure a lot of trouble for the RCB bowlers despite things being kept in check at few stages of the match. Michael Bracewell would register figures of 2/13 while Mohammed Siraj would conjure another frugal spell to leave the hosts crumbling.

If the fragmented bursts of brilliance in the first innings were simply a prelude to greater glory, it was a magical display from Kohli (100) and Faf (71) that would prove to be the hallowed culmination, leaving SRH with a very bitter taste in their mouth.

Faf du Plessis was ecstatic about how RCB stepped up to the occasion under the pump and had very special praises reserved for Kohli. Talking about the game, Faf would say, “Amazing chase. We felt it was a good wicket walking off and that 200 was the par score despite Klaasen's ton. Not too many balls that spun or stopped on the wicket so we wanted to play positively. I think we are doing the right things. From a batting perspective that’s all you can ask to do and the previous game we were also clinical with the ball.”

The RCB skipper also spoke on his equation with Kohli and why the pair works so well in unison. He said, “I think we complement each other well, we played very different areas so it’s difficult to bowl to. We also rub off on each others’ energy, it’s good chemistry between the two of us and so we’re good mates on and off the field.”