Legendary Indian cricketer Virat Kohli found himself at the center of controversy during the IPL 2024 opener between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Kohli’s aggressive send-off to debutant Rachin Ravindra after his dismissal stirred debate, overshadowing his milestone achievements in the match.
Kohli, leading RCB against CSK, was captured on camera giving an explosive send-off to Rachin Ravindra, who was dismissed by Karn Sharma on the last ball of the seventh over. The incident, which occurred during CSK’s bowling innings, quickly went viral on social media platforms, drawing attention to the intensity of on-field exchanges.
Rachin Ravindra, making his IPL debut for CSK, showcased his prowess with both bat and ball, registering 37 runs off 15 balls before falling victim to Karn Sharma’s delivery. Despite his impressive performance, Ravindra faced Kohli’s heated reaction as he made his way back to the pavilion, prompting discussions regarding sportsmanship and player conduct in the IPL.
While Kohli’s animated send-off sparked controversy, his on-field achievements during the match were noteworthy. Opening the batting for RCB, Kohli scored 21 runs off 20 balls before being caught by Ravindra near the boundary ropes on the second ball of the 12th over bowled by Mustafizur Rahman.
In addition to his contributions with the bat, Kohli achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first Indian cricketer in history to amass 12,000 or more runs in T20 cricket. With a total of 12,015 runs in 377 T20 matches, Kohli’s feat underscores his dominance in the shortest format of the game.
Furthermore, Kohli’s performance against CSK saw him become only the second player in IPL history to surpass the 1000-run mark against the franchise. His tally of 1006 runs in 32 IPL matches against CSK solidifies his stature as one of the most prolific batsmen in the tournament’s history.
As the IPL 2024 season kicks off with fervor and excitement, Kohli’s fiery send-off serves as a reminder of the intense competition and passion that characterize the tournament, while his milestone achievements reaffirm his status as a cricketing icon.
