Virat Kohli becomes 2nd fastest to 100 fifties in T20s – Who is first?

Virat Kohli notched up his 100th T20 half-century during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) comprehensive nine-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, April 13.

The iconic batter remained unbeaten on 62 off 45 balls as RCB made light work of a 174-run target in the afternoon fixture. He brought up his third fifty of the season in 39 balls. He became only the second batter after David Warner to register 100 half-centuries in the shortest format. Kohli also equalled Warner's record of most fifties in IPL history (66).

Warner reached the milestone of 100 T20 half-centuries in his 366th innings. Meanwhile, Kohli has reached the landmark in his 388th innings. Warner, who is currently plying his trade in the Pakistan Super League, has 108 T20 fifties from 399 innings.

"Glorious! Gets to a fifty in fine fashion Sees the flighted ball on middle, he dances down the track and smacks it straight over the bowler. His 100th T20 fifty," said Ian Bishop on air after Kohli hit a wonderful boundary to get to his half-century in the 15th over of the run-chase.

Most half-centuries in T20 cricket:

RCB return to winning ways

After Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl first on Sunday, RCB bowlers used the low and slow conditions to their advantage and didn't allow the Rajasthan batters to go hammer and tongs at any point in their innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for the inaugural champions as he made 75 off 47 balls, hitting 10 fours and two sixes. Krunal Pandya was the pick of the RCB bowling unit as he conceded just 29 runs in his four overs and bagged the wicket of Sanju Samson.

In reply, RCB put themselves into a commanding position on the back of Phil Salt's blistering knock of 65 off 33 deliveries. After the England wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed, Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal (40*) took the visitors to victory with nine wickets and 15 balls to spare.