Virat Kohli struck a century in the fifth game of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League 2024. He took 67 balls to reach the three-figure mark in the cash-rich league. Kohli equaled the record for the slowest hundred in IPL history. Manish Pandey faced the same number of balls when he struck a century against Deccan Chargers in 2009.
Slowest Centuries in IPL
67 – Manish Pandey (RCB) vs Deccan Chargers in 2009
67 – Virat Kohli (RCB) vs RR in 2024
66 – Sachin Tendulkar (MI) vs KTK in 2011
66 – David Warner (DC) vs KKR in 2010
66 – Jos Buttler (RR) vs MI, Mumbai in 2022
Former Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan slammed Kohli for his approach. He posted a sarcastic comment on X. “Congratulations Virat kholi on the slowest 💯 in the history of IPL,” he wrote.
The star batter was unbeaten on 113 at the end of the first innings. He batted for 72 balls, hitting 12 fours and 4 sixes in his entertaining knock. The rest of the batters struggled as RCB posted just 183/3 in 20 overs. Kohli has been the lone performer for RCB with the bat. He has managed more than 300 runs in the 17th season.
Apart from his hundred, Kohli has struck two fifties against Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. Bengaluru have won just 1 game while losing three so far.