'Don't get too overexcited, it's only two games' - Virat Kohli to RCB fans after first win of the season

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli silenced all his critics questioning his T20 batting credentials with a match-winning knock of 77 (49) against Punjab Kings on Monday, March 25 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The 35-year-old held the innings together with his magnificent knock laced with 11 fours and two sixes and helped RCB register their first win of the season.

Courtesy of his innings, RCB managed to chase down the target in 19.2 overs and won the match by six wickets. Kohli was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for his stupendous knock, however, the star batter advised RCB fans to not get too overexcited as they’ve played just two games of the season so far.

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"Don't get too overexcited, it's only two games. I know what it means," Kohli said in the post-match presentation.

Further speaking ahead, the star batter acknowledged the tremendous support from RCB fans and stated that that’s what matters to him more than the achievements and numbers.

"It's been going on for years. People talk about a lot of other things when you play sport - achievement, stats, numbers. But when you look back it's the memories you create. The love, appreciation and backing I've received has been amazing," the 35-year-old added.

Kohli became the Orange Cap holder after match-winning knock

Notably, after his match-winning knock, Kohli became the Orange Cap holder of the season with 98 runs to his name from two innings at an average of 49 and a strike rate of 142.02. The RCB opener had a brilliant season with the bat in 2023 as well scoring 639 runs from 14 innings at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82.

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He earlier won the Orange Cap in the 2016 season with record-breaking numbers of 973 runs from 16 innings at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03 with four hundreds and seven fifties to his name. The star batter will be eager to emulate his 2016 performance in the ongoing season and help RCB end their IPL trophy drought.