5 fours & out: Virat Kohli wins the battle but loses the war to Kagiso Rabada

Virat Kohli, one of the modern Test greats, went up against Kagiso Rabada, one of the best strikers with the red ball, in Ahmedabad. For a second, one forgot that it was an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and not a Test match between India and South Africa.

Survives Siraj

The ball was moving at the Narendra Modi Stadium. GT captain Shubman Gill had opted to bowl first, expecting Rabada and Mohammed Siraj to strike. To his delight, Siraj started beautifully. He could’ve gotten the better of Kohli in the first two balls the veteran batter faced.

First, with a beautifully good length which swung and seamed away from him. Kohli took a step forward on the next delivery to nullify the swing, but Siraj changed his length. This caught Kohli by surprise, who nearly chopped the ball back onto his stumps. But luckily for RCB, he survived.

Kohli takes Rabada down

Then started the Kohli vs Rabada battle. The fast bowler from South Africa went short. First on the middle stump and then outside off. Both times, he went to the ropes. Rabada changed things up. He went to length from short. But the result didn’t change. Kohli pierced the ball through the point region.

Now, under immense pressure, Rabada went full and wide. Kohli creamed it for four through covers. The pacer corrected his line, going straight, and Kohli drove him down the ground. Four was written all over it, but Rabada stuck his leg out and saved a sixth consecutive boundary.

Rabada has the last laught

Full of confidence, Kohli targetted Siraj. He charged once again, disturbing his length, and found the middle of the bat. The ball went sailing over long on. Kohli was 28 (11) in no time. Fascinatingly, Gill handed the ball to Rabada again.

The fast bowler once again went short. This time, Kohli was caught off guard. The ball hurried him, and he top-edged it to Rashid Khan towards mid-on. 8 balls, 5 fours, and then gone. Kohli might’ve won the battle, but Rabada, the great bowler he is, ended up winning the war.

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