“I Don’t Know Why They Gave POTM Award to Me”: Kohli after RCB’s Win over PBKS
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a thrilling seven-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their latest Indian Premier League (IPL) match. The victory was largely attributed to the impressive batting display by RCB’s top-order batsmen, including Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. While Kohli’s 73*(54) was a crucial contribution, it was Padikkal’s 61(35) that set the tone for the chase. In a surprising twist, Kohli was awarded the Player of the Match (POTM) award for his efforts, but he had some words of praise for his teammate Padikkal.
Speaking after the match, Kohli expressed his gratitude towards the award, but also felt that it should have gone to Padikkal instead. “I thought Dev made a difference today, this award should go to him, I don’t know why they have given it to me,” Kohli said. It’s not often that we see a player of Kohli’s stature expressing humility and acknowledging the efforts of his teammate, but his words only added to the admiration for his cricketing instincts.
Padikkal’s innings was a masterclass in itself, as he took the PBKS bowlers to task with his aggressive batting. He smashed 61 runs off just 35 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes, to set the platform for RCB’s chase. Kohli, who came in at number three, built on Padikkal’s foundation, utilizing his experience and technique to guide RCB home.
The RCB captain, Glenn Maxwell, also praised Padikkal’s performance, saying, “Devdutt was fantastic today. He set the tone for the game, and we’re really happy to see him play like that.” Maxwell’s words echoed Kohli’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of Padikkal’s innings in RCB’s victory.
The win over PBKS marks a crucial turning point for RCB, as they look to climb up the points table and make a deep run in the IPL. With players like Kohli, Padikkal, and Maxwell in their lineup, RCB have the firepower to take on any team in the competition.
Kohli’s words of praise for Padikkal have also sparked a debate among cricket fans and experts, with many arguing that Padikkal’s innings deserved the POTM award more than Kohli’s. While Kohli’s 73*(54) was an impressive display, Padikkal’s 61(35) was arguably more impactful, given the context of the match.
In the end, Kohli’s humility and willingness to acknowledge his teammate’s efforts only add to his reputation as a respected and humble cricketer. As RCB look to build on their momentum, it’s clear that they have a talented and cohesive unit that can take on any challenge.
