IPL 2019, CSK v RCB: Three milestones up for grabs for Run Machine Virat Kohli against Chennai Super Kings
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back and the 12th edition of the cash-rich league couldn't have hoped for a better start as defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are all set to take on the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opening game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. RCB skipper Virat Kohli, who is nothing short of a demi-god himself for his fans, looks all set to heap more records once he takes the field tonight in Chennai.
Run Machine Kohli and records go hand in hand and this year, not one but three milestones are in RCB skipper's radar. The first target for Kohli (4,948 runs) is to surpass Suresh Raina (4,985) among IPL's leading run scorers and after that becoming the first player to reach the 5k mark is also on his mind while entering the MA Chidambaram Stadium for the opening clash.
The consistency that Kohli possesses might help him in overtaking Sunrisers Hyderabad's David Warner on the list of most fifties in the tournament history. Kohli(34) is just two behind Warner(36) and it's gonna be a neck to neck fight as the tournament progresses between the two heavyweight players.
The way Kohli is playing, these stats may just be numbers for him and he might be sitting on the throne of records after the tournament concludes.
Ahead of the opening tie, Kohli said RCB's focus this year would be on being consistent and scratching their way to wins.
"It again boils down to how much composure you have in crunch situations. If you see all the teams that have won, they have had players who have stood up and done the job.
"In the past, when we have been close to winning the title, we have just expected things to go our way instead of standing up. That is something we want to correct this season. If we look ugly, we look ugly. It doesn't matter. We don't want to be a side just playing flamboyant cricket. We want to be a consistent side," Kohli added.
