IPL 2023: It's amazing to bring happiness to people, Virat Kohli on support he received in Hyderabad

It felt like a home game for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Hyderabad when the vast majority in the crowd continued to chant Virat Kohli's name as the Indian batting superstar put the Sunrisers bowling attack to the sword with a brilliant match-winning hundred on Thursday.

Kohli smashed his way to 100 off 63 balls in a perfect chase as RCB kept itself in playoff contention chasing a target of 187 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Kohli and skipper Faf du Plessis (71) added 172 for the opening stand as RCB won by eight wickets.

The former India captain admitted later that it was amazing to see the support from Hyderabad fans even though the RCB was playing against their team.

”Blessed and grateful for the support. I told Faf that it was like a home game, cheering for RCB and taking my name as well," Kohli said.

"I feel you can’t create this. I haven’t forced anyone to support me. It’s an amazing position to be in that you can provide happiness to so many people.”

Kohli, who registered his sixth IPL hundred, said he couldn’t care less about critics pointing fingers at his strike-rate.

”I never look at past numbers. I put myself under so much stress already. I don’t give myself enough credit sometimes despite playing impact knocks. (So) I don’t care what anyone says on the outside. Because that is their opinion,” said Kohli.

Kohli, who has faced criticism for his mid-130s strike-rate, didn’t forget to remind people how he has shouldered responsibility of his teams in IPL and international cricket.

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