IPL 2023: Klaasen, Kohli's feat of 2 tons in same IPL match; most IPL centuries by a batsman and other records in SRH vs RCB match

IPL 2023: The IPL 2023 match between hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore today (May 18) in Hyderabad witnessed a rare feat when two batsmen, SRH's Heinrich Klaasen and RCB's Virat Kohli, scored a century in the same IPL match.

It was only the third time in the history of IPL when two centuries have been scored in an IPL match.

With the century, Kohli also equalled the record for the most tons in IPL.

3rd instance where two players scored 100s in the same match, and the first time when a player from each side got one.

Klaasen you were a class act tonight! #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 #SRHvRCB @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/L8Ku8scRvJ

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 18, 2023

He has six centuries in IPL to his name, the same as West Indian stalwart Chris Gayle. 

6th hundred for the King in the IPL and it’s come in an all important chase! 

Only RCB Hall of Famer, Chris Gayle, has as many hundreds #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 #SRHvRCB @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/lIVWX0YsJD

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 18, 2023

The first time two centuries were scored in the same match was in 2016 when RCB batsmen Kohli and AB de Villiers hit a ton each in a match against Gujarat Lions.

Pairs to score 800+ runs in an IPL season:

2016 - Virat and AB
2023 - Virat and Faf

End of list.
#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 #SRHvRCB pic.twitter.com/5i79kllB2g

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 18, 2023

The second time two batsmen scored a ton each in an IPL match was in 2019 when Hyderbad openers, Jonny Bairstow and David Warner, achieved the feat in a match against RCB. 

On Thursday, Klaasen and Kohli matched the record, though playing for different teams.

Their tons were also the seventh and eighth, respectively, of IPL 2023. 

So far, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Harry Brook, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Prabhsimran Singh have scored a ton each this season.

Hyderabad batsman Klaasen came to bat at No. 4, and he started attacking RCB bowlers, especially spinners, from the beginning of his knock.

He raced to his 50 in just 24 balls with six boundaries and two sixes.

Two centuries in an IPL match

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers (both RCB) against Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016

Jonny Bairstow and David Warner (both Sunrisers Hyderbad) againsr RCB in IPL 2019

Heinrich Klaasen (SRH) Virat Kohli (RCB) in IPL 2023

Most tons in IPL

He continued scoring at the same pace and completed his century with a six off Harshal Patel in 49 balls.

His 51-run ball 104-run innings ended with 8 boundaries and 6 sixes.

He played a key role in guiding his team to a fighting total of 186 for five. 

Chasing a target of 187 runs, Kohli and Du Plessis started the RCB innings on a high note as both put up a magnificent 171-run opening stand in 17.5 overs.

Kohli was more attacking as he finished his sixth IPL century with a six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

He completed his century in 62 balls, but he was out on the very next ball. Kohli hit 12 fours and four sixes during his 82-minute knock.