IPL 2019: Virat Kohli takes the 10-year challenge with Dale Steyn

Kohli and Steyn rolled back the years to 2009.

Published - 22 Apr 2019, 21:26 IST | Updated - 22 Apr 2019, 21:26 IST

View : 2.5K

2 Min Read

Dale Steyn has seemingly brought new life into the Royal Challengers Bangalore team. Especially their bowler given his performance in the match against Chennai Super Kings, where his amazing burst of bowling in the opening overs set the tone for the team’s thrilling 1-run win in the end.

The Virat Kohli-led team had lost 7 out of their 8 matches in this ongoing IPL 2019 before they brought in Steyn as a replacement for Nathan Coulter-Nile. NCN was ruled out of the tournament due to injury and Steyn’s inclusion has resulted in the team winning two matches. Against CSK, RCB batted first and put on a modest score of 161 runs on board on the back of Parthiv Patel’s half-century.

Virat Kohli shares a 10-year old pic with Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn had last played for RCB in IPL 2009 and since then had missed IPL 2017 and 2018 due to injury as he was not picked in the auction, before playing for Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016. When Steyn played for RCB in 2009, Virat was a youngster and had just begun his India career and team was led by Anil Kumble.

Virat was elated as Steyn rolled back the years and removed Shane Watson for five on the fifth ball of the first over and then demolished the stumps of Suresh Raina the next ball. RCB eventually reduced CSK to 83/5, but then Dhoni’s 84* brought the equation to two runs off the last ball, bowled by Umesh Yadav. Parthiv Patel ran Shardul Thakur out as he ran to make ground and tie the match.

“We have won three of the last four and that feels great. Feels amazing to be able to celebrate again with Dale Steyn. I never thought this would be possible after we parted ways in 2010,” Kohli told Steyn in a short post-match interaction put up on IPLT20.com.

“It feels fantastic to be back with RCB and the social media posts bring back lots of memories and makes me nostalgic. It also shows how well you’ve done. This man (Kohli) has gone on taken and taken the world by storm and is one of the best players if not the best in the world,” Steyn in his response said.

Virat Kohli celebrated the win with an amazing throwback photo with Dale Steyn and a beautiful caption – “My most favorite #10yearchallenge ever!”