The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter said he was satisfied with his improved rhythm and intent but acknowledged the challenge of a slower pitch required adjustment. He added he would have preferred to remain unbeaten and take the team home himself.

Kohli’s innings, supported by useful cameos from Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma, helped RCB secure a commanding five-wicket victory over LSG in the Indian Premier League (IPL), propelling them to the top of the points table.

“Much better than the last game. I’m still not 100%. My knee was a bit sore in the last game. Even health-wise, I’ve been under the weather for four or five days now. So, just getting back up to my best. I started well today, so I was happy with my intensity. Again, would have liked to carry on and finish the game off. Sometimes you have to take the conditions into account as well. The pitch slowed down considerably, and I just wanted to keep going in the same manner. But yeah, in the end, should have probably finished that one off as well,” Kohli said after the match.

Kohli noted the pitch was slower and drier than usual due to intense heat and little grass, unlike the typical tacky surfaces at the venue.

“It was slower than normal. There was not enough grass on it. The last 3-4 days have been very, very hot. It’s been very dry as well. So, we thought it was going to be a dry, slow wicket rather than one of those bare ones that are tacky when we play in Chinnaswamy. So, it was different, and hence the idea was to push the game away from the opposition and take the game away from them in the first five-six overs. And for those reasons, the powerplay batting was important, and hence I say that I was happy with my approach today. I was able to put the team in front early on,” he concluded.

Rasikh Salam Dar led a strong bowling performance as LSG were bowled out for 146. In reply, Kohli anchored the chase with 49 runs while captain Rajat Patidar (27) and Jitesh Sharma (23) made brisk contributions to help RCB reach 149/5 in 15.1 overs.