Virat Kohli called his 115-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal “the game changer” in Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s successful chase of 206 against Gujarat Titans (GT). Kohli was adjudged Player of the Match for his 44-ball 81, featuring eight fours and four sixes, as RCB went to second place with their fifth win in seven games.

“I mean, we had to assess the wicket early on,” he said of RCB’s batting effort. “Because A, they have a quality bowling attack, and B, with a chase of 200 (206) in Bangalore, we know we’re only one partnership away. I think the conversation between me and [Jacob] Bethell was to try and analyse the first couple of overs, what’s going on, and then try and take the game on from there. I think that Dev[dutt Padikkal]’s done it twice this season – where he’s come in and absolutely played a blinder from ball one.”

Padikkal’s 27-ball 55 kept RCB well ahead of the required rate in the middle overs, and his attacking intent was visible even against GT’s leading bowlers. “You know, the first boundary off [Kagiso] Rabada was magnificent,” Kohli said of Padikkal. “And he has the game awareness and the ability – especially in conditions like ours – to be able to play good cricketing shots and hurt oppositions striking over 200, which is quite rare, to be honest. You never see him slogging the ball.

“I was just trying to stay in the game enough so that he doesn’t feel all the pressure. And it was my responsibility to try and hit boundaries at the right times. And, yeah, that partnership was the game sealer and the game changer for us eventually.”

Once again, GT’s own sluggish batting effort in the death overs was put in contrast by just how rapid RCB were even once they lost wickets at the death. Krunal Pandya, batting at No. 7, finished off the chase with a nerveless 23 off 12.

“We have a tremendous batting line-up,” Kohli said. “If you look at the talent on display, you know, we have guys who can hit good cricketing shots and hurt bowlers. Then, we have the power of Tim David and Romario [Shepherd]. So I think the combination we have is something that gives us a lot of confidence to go out there and play like that. And, yeah, the message in the group is simple: If you see a ball to hit, you back yourself, go for it.”

RCB have played their last group fixture at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. They now travel for a stretch of three away games, before heading to Raipur – their second home this season – to finish off their home fixtures.

“It’s just a special place to play cricket,” Kohli said of the Chinnaswamy. “And, hopefully, at the later stages of the tournament, we can come back here and, you know, entertain the crowd once more.”

There is a chance a playoff fixture will be assigned to the Chinnaswamy. And RCB, at the halfway stage for them, look on track to be heading into the playoffs. Their next game is against Delhi Capitals on April 27 in Delhi, Kohli’s original home ground.