'This guy wasn't gonna edge any of them last night!' - AB de Villiers in awe of Virat Kohli's heroics after RCB crush MI

Royal Challengers Bangalore started off their IPL 2023 campaign on a positive note as they defeated five-time champions Mumbai Indians in their first game of the tournament on Sunday, April 2. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli stood strong together on the field during the chase while opening the batting for their side, and led RCB to an eight-wicket win.

Playing an IPL match at their home ground for the first time after three seasons, the fans were given a run for their money. Skipper Faf and Kohli stitched up a 148-run opening partnership, thereby setting the tone for the middle-order batters. While Faf walked back scoring 73 off 43, Kohli remained unbeaten after notching up a 49-ball 82.

Former RCB player and one of Kohli’s close friends AB de Villiers could not hold back as he took to his Instagram to praise RCB’s performance in their game against MI. De Villiers reserved special praises for not just the team, but also for former RCB skipper Kohli who finished as the team’s top-scorer in the game.

"When you're standing at short leg but know you're not in the game, cause this guy wasn't gonna edge any of them last night!?? well played RCB,” De Villiers wrote on his Instagram while sharing a candid picture of him and Kohli from the RCB Unbox event. Virat Kohli too, dropped a comment on De Villiers’ post and wrote “Hahaha” with a red heart emoticon.

Kohli, Faf leave Mumbai Indians bowlers clueless

Speaking of the game, RCB started off brilliantly while bowling first in the game as Mumbai Indians lost their top order within the powerplay. Mohammed Siraj drew the first blood when he picked up Ishan Kishan’s wicket in the third over of the game, and Reece Topley and Akash Deep joined the celebrations as they dismissed Cameron Green and Rohit Sharma respectively. 

Suryakumar Yadav too failed to perform, but young star Tilak Varma helped Mumbai Indians reach a decent total of 171/7 after 20 overs as he played a brilliant knock of 84*(46). But all his heroics went in vain as Faf and Kohli took charge with the bat in the second innings and led RCB to a massive victory. With their respective half-centuries, the two batters are now among the highest run scorers at the IPL 2023.