The roar, noise, and chants for Kohli was absolute goosebumps: Niall O’Brien

Royal Challengers Bangalore kicked off their IPL 2023 season with a commanding eight-wicket victory over five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians on Sunday, marking their return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru after a four-year absence (April 2). With over 4 overs remaining, the home team easily won with the help of a big 148-run opening stand between current captain Faf du Plessis and former leader Virat Kohli.

O’Brien speaks

Former Ireland player Niall O’Brien said that the atmosphere in the stadium after Virat Kohli‘s half-century was absolutely amazing. It gave ‘goosebumps’ to him.

Niall O’Brien said, “When Virat Kohli completed his fifty at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the roar, noise, and chants for Kohli was absolute goosebumps. The best I have ever experienced in my life”.

Although Kohli was in exquisite form to remain unbeaten on 82 off 49 balls, laced with six fours and five sixes to chase 172 in 16.2 overs, Du Plessis was in superb form to make 73 off 43 balls, including five fours and six sixes. Following the game, Kohli told the commentators that he and Du Plessis wanted to keep the pressure on the bowlers by hitting their shots in excellent spots.

“Phenomenal win. Homecoming after so many years. We kept backing ourselves. Faf went first, and I joined later. I am very happy with how things went today,” the former RCB captain said.

“The new ball was a bit tricky, but we shifted the momentum by taking them down with the new ball. We nullified all their intensity. The wicket was quite a nice one. We hit good areas and kept putting pressure on the bowlers,” he added.

When questioned about the backing from a packed home stadium, Virat Kohli responded, “Phenomenal, was a packed crowd. Every seat was full and we knew we would get a lot of support. We just ride off that intensity from the crowd. They were right behind us. The first game of the IPL, and to perform like that was great. Credit to their batters for getting to that score. Tilak (Varma) batted well.”

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