While Hyderabad hosted SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 65th match of the IPL 2023, it created a new history in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It was the first time an IPL match experienced at least one century from both innings.
It was a crucial game for RCB as they are battling for the Playoffs spot in the IPL 2023. After RCB sent the hosts to bat first, Heinrich Klaasen’s century set up the 186/5 (20 overs) total for SRH. The South African wicketkeeper-batter Klaasen scored 104 off 51 balls with the help of eight fours and six sixes.
However, the RCB openers Virat Kohli and skipper Faf du Plessis dominated the chasing in their familiar styles. They set up the highest partnership in this IPL campaign (172 runs for the opening wicket), where Du Plessis scored 71 off 47 balls (seven fours and two sixes), and Kohli smashed his sixth IPL century.
The right-handed batter Kohli hit a 62-ball hundred as he scored 100 off 63 balls (12 fours and four sixes) before he was caught out at deep forward square. However, RCB ultimately won that game by eight wickets after chasing the target in 19.2 overs. Kohli, who equalled the record of joint most IPL centuries in that game, won the Player of the Match award for his match-winning batting performance.
Two centuries in an IPL match
It was the third time in IPL history to experience two centuries in an IPL match.
Match | Centurions (Team) | Venue | Date |
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Lions (RCB vs GL) | Virat Kohli (RCB) – 109 AB de Villiers (RCB) – 129* | Bengaluru | 14 May 2016 |
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (SRH vs RCB) | Jonny Bairstow (SRH) – 114 David Warner (SRH) – 100* | Hyderabad | 31 March 2019 |
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (SRH vs RCB) | Heinrich Klaasen (SRH) – 104 Virat Kohli (RCB) – 100 | Hyderabad | 18 May 2023 |
However, it was the first time in IPL history we experienced at least one century in each innings of an IPL match.
First time in IPL: One century in each innings of an IPL match
SRH vs RCB at Hyderabad (65th match in IPL 2023 on 18 May 2023)
SRH – 186/5 in 20 overs
· Heinrich Klaasen – 104 off 51 balls (eight fours and six sixes)
RCB – 187/2 in 19.2 overs
· Virat Kohli – 100 off 63 balls (12 fours and four sixes)
Match Result: RCB won by eight wickets (with four balls remaining)