Kohli struck an unbeaten 105 off 60 balls to guide RCB to the top of the points table and reclaim the top spot on the IPL 2026 points table. The innings, decorated with 11 fours and three sixes, came at a strike-rate of 175 and marked Kohli\u2019s ninth IPL century.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Finch said Kohli\u2019s early start in the innings was crucial, especially considering the pressure that comes with lean scores for a top-order batter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt would have been important for him just to get off the mark. Nobody wants to get three ducks in a row. Some of those shots were absolutely class. His ability to sum up the conditions straight away is second to none. The way he got into his work so quickly and was able to get his innings underway with no risk was great,\u201d Finch told JioStar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kohli began aggressively after a cautious opening over, punishing loose deliveries from Vaibhav Arora and quickly settling into rhythm despite tricky conditions following a rain delay. Finch felt Kohli\u2019s ability to assess surfaces early remains one of the defining strengths of his batting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the dream as a player at the top of the order. We always know that if you allow him to have a look at a wicket for some time, he will be successful. When he\u2019s playing at his absolute best, you feel as though he\u2019s swinging the bat at 50 per cent. He just finds the middle, and he\u2019s got that gift of timing,\u201d he said. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former Australian skipper also pointed to Kohli\u2019s effortless control during the chase, particularly his knack for finding boundaries whenever the asking rate threatened to rise, saying, \u201cIt was a wonderful knock. Any time he needed to find the boundary, he did.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Finch also turned his attention to Thursday\u2019s clash involving Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, warning the former against complacency despite MI being out of the qualification race.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"MI and RCB, two tough games for Punjab. Regardless of where Mumbai Indians are on the ladder, you know they\u2019re coming hard at you. They\u2019ve got nothing to lose. They\u2019ve got everything to gain by contributing to knocking out a team, and that\u2019s what you play for when you get down to this part of the season, when you can\u2019t qualify yourself,\" Finch stated. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Finch also turned his attention to Thursday\u2019s clash involving Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, warning the former against complacency despite MI being out of the qualification race.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut I hope Punjab do, because I like the way they go about it. Just start catching well, please! You are costing yourself so many opportunities. Cricket\u2019s hard. It is brutal at the best of times, and you can\u2019t give the best players in the world chances over and over to beat you,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n