Twitter Reactions: Shubman Gill's domineering century dumps RCB out of IPL 2023

It took the final over of the final league fixture of IPL 2023 to decide the fourth name to qualify for the playoffs as Mumbai Indians secured their passage after Royal Challengers Bangalore's defeat against Gujarat Titans. A full-house crowd at the Chinnaswamy were treated to some spectacular batting performances as both, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill registered masterful tons for their respective sides.

Gujarat Titans, who had their eyes set on Qualifier 1, got off to a streaky start in their chase. However, Wriddhiman Saha's luck finally ran out in the third over when Wayne Parnell plucked a superb catch to hand RCB their first breakthrough. 

With Saha being dismissed cheaply, the visitors sent in Vijay Shankar to steady the ship for the league leaders. However, it was Shubman Gill from the other end who launched a scathing assault on the RCB bowlers. The young Indian dasher continued his purple patch in the tournament, registering a brisk half-century.

Inspired by the youngster at the other end, Shankar also opened his shoulders against Vijaykumar Vyshak in the 15th over, dispatching the RCB pacer for three consecutive boundaries. However, the home side wrestled back the momentum with quick wickets of Shankar and Dasun Shanaka. The dangerous David Miller was also dismissed cheaply as the match headed towards a thrilling finish.

Despite a flurry of wickets, Gill continued his onslaught from the other end, single-handedly taking his side to the brink of victory. He matched his batting idol's performance from the first innings, smashing a second consecutive ton in the tournament to take his side home in a canter.

Virat Kohli's dazzling century takes RCB to a challenging total

Earlier in the match, it was the defending champions who won the toss and decided to bowl first on a batting paradise at the Chinnaswamy. But, it was the home side who came out of the blocks in a jiffy after a blistering opening partnership between RCB skipper Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli. 

However, the visitors found their way back into the contest after the introduction of spin as young Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad broke the opening stand by dismissing the in-from Faf du Plessis after the powerplay. The hosts were dealt another severe blow after explosive Aussie batter Glenn Maxwell was cleaned up by the indomitable Rashid Khan.

Mahipal Lomror also departed cheaply, leaving his side in a spot of bother in the middle overs. There was a swing in the momentum when Virat Kohli got together with Michael Bracewell for a counterattacking fourth-wicket partnership. However, the defending champions bounced back with quick wickets of Bracewell and Dinesh Karthik to rock the Men in Red and Gold.

With the team in dire straights, former RCB skipper Virat Kohli took matters into his own hands. The batting maestro went into overdrive in the death overs and compiled a swashbuckling century, the second on the trot in IPl 2023 and seventh overall in the competition's history. Anuj Rawat also opened his shoulders in the final over to help the hosts to a competitive total.