England batsman Will Jacks achieved an unbeaten 41-ball 100 as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a nine-wicket victory against the Gujarat Titans in the IPL on Sunday.
After RCB captain Faf du Plessis had scored 24 runs in 12 balls, Jacks achieved a remarkable feat by striking 10 sixes in his blitz. He achieved an unbeaten partnership of 166 with Virat Kohli, who scored 70 and was impressed by his younger colleague’s batting at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
Bengaluru achieved victory with four overs to spare, having chased 201. Jacks hit the winning six, which also made his century.
This was Bengaluru’s third win – and second in a row – in 10 matches so far this season, which has maintained their slim hopes of reaching the playoffs.
Jacks was on 16 when the highly-rated Kohli reached his fifty in 32 balls with a four off Rashid Khan. However, the 25-year-old Englishman proceeded to make a significant impact with three sixes and two fours in a 29-run 15th over from Mohit Sharma.
Jacks then proceeded to take on Rashid, achieving four sixes and a four in the winning over.
The 35-year-old Kohli, who achieved the first century of this edition, reached 500 runs and was quick to refute critics who said the veteran batsman has struggled to meet modern T20 standards of power hitting.
Kohli, who demonstrated adeptness in playing the spinners, including the sweep shot, and Bengaluru are still awaiting their first IPL title.
Bengaluru, who remain at the bottom of the 10-team table, elected to field first, and Gujarat reached 200-3 in their 20 overs.
Sai Sudarshan achieved an unbeaten score of 84, contributing to key partnerships with Shahrukh Khan (58) and David Miller (26).
Glenn Maxwell returned to the Bengaluru XI after a brief period of rest and recuperation. He took a wicket in his first over, returning figures of 1-28 with his off-spin.