SRH vs RCB, 65th Match at Hyderabad, IPL, May 18 2023 - Match Result

RCB continue to keep their playoff hopes alive and well. S Rajesh's scenarios piece will be up soon. Check it out to know how this result has impacted the standings of all the teams in contention. Sidharth Monga's match report is up as well. Thanks for tagging along. Goodbye from me Ekanth and our scorers, Chandan Duorah and K Vairavan.

Virat Kohli, POTM: Quite special considering the magnitude of the game. We saw the ball was gripping in the middle. We wanted a solid start but did not expect to be 172 for no loss. That's how well Faf and I have played, he's been on a different level. I had a quiet couple of games and wasn't hitting as well in the game as I was in the nets. My intent from ball 1 was to go after the bowlers. There was a dip but I wanted to take it up in the right time. Happy that it all came together nicely. I never look at my numbers. I don't give myself enough credit sometimes for playing impact knocks. I take pride to play the situation. I don't play fancy shots. We have to play 12 months of the year, so you can't play fancy shots and throw your wicket away. I try to stay true to my technique and take pride which helps my team. (On why Faf and him work) I think it's the tattoos. Very similar to how AB and me batting together. There's a good sense of where we are and how to take the game forward. It's been a beautiful transition. Blessed and grateful for the support. I told Faf that it was like a home game, cheering for RCB and taking my name as well. I feel you can't create this. I'm myself on the field and think it resonates with the people. Great to see people happy when I perform.

Faf du Plessis, RCB Captain: Amazing chase. We felt it was a good wicket walking off and that 200 was the par score despite Klaasen's ton. Not too many balls that spun or stuck on the wicket so we wanted to play positively. We were clinical with the bat today and ball last game. Kohli and I complement each other well, hit different areas and are good mates on and off well which works for us. Taking the momentum home is key. Away conditions are tough. Chinnaswamy will be amazing for another must-win game for us.

Mohit: "RCB vs GT will be a lot harder... MI will go hard against SRH to get their NRR up! exciting weekend"

Nick: "What an IPL it has been..! No dead rubber till last match. All remaining matches are important ...!"

Thomas: "Really feel for Klassen - what could have been the day when the world took notice of him, he gets outshone by the Kohli-Faf show"

SRH players and staff take a lap across the ground with a banner reading 'THANK YOU HYDERABAD' and the crowd is cheering along.

Aiden Markram, SRH Captain: I thought we batted pretty well but did not maximise. Maybe we left a few runs out there, in the powerplay. Can't be on the winning side for Heinrich, who batted brilliantly today. The support was awesome not just for us but for RCB as well. Pity we couldn't give them a win. But thanks to them. (Mindset coming into the last game) We are still sportsmen and hate losing, wanted to go away with a smile but they were much better. Faf and Kohli killed the game. We still hung in there and weren't too far off at the end. (On his bowling options) We had a look at few guys which is good for the future. Probably one less option in the powerplay but the guys tried their best but execution let them down here and there with Faf and Kohli in full flow. Someone like Nitish was very impressive even if the figures don't reflect it. Klaasen hasn't had the easiest path, he wouldn't have dreamt of it. Great knock for him personally even though it didn't end with a win.

11:01pm: Kohli century leads a clinical performance as RCB retain control over their fate for now. He took charge with scintillating strokeplay, it looked like approaching a slowdown but hit his way past it. Some of the cover drives and the whips were sensational. There were a quiet couple of overs but generally included a boundary each over. Faf was the aggressor in the powerplay and survived being dismissed by an athletic catch by Dagar because the second bouncer for the over was deemed to be a no-ball. Kohli wasn't shying away from playing attacking shots at all stages. Sunrisers' bowling couldn't apply consistent pressure, they weren't allowed to, and end their season at home.

Tyagi to close out. Bracewell on strike, three needed off six

Darshin: "Maxi should change his name to Maxrisky "

Still run a ball needed.

Jose George: "Not sure why everyone on the comments here are rooting for an RCB loss. Keep Calm, they'll lose in the eliminator"

Rohit: "SRH one (Maxi) wicket away from a famous win!!"

Bracewell in

SidB: "Just because it's RCB, I am expecting a very tight finish now"

KSG: "Still a great 18th over by Bhuvi"

RCB need 23 off 18. Bhuvi to finish his quota

Kohli on 91*