Will Jacks Smashes Unbeaten Century as RCB Thrash Gujarat Titans in IPL Match

In an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on April 28, 2024, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) by 9 wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The star of the show was RCB's English batsman Will Jacks, who scored a blistering unbeaten century off just 41 balls to guide his team to a comfortable victory.

Chasing a target of 201 runs set by GT, RCB got off to a shaky start, losing their captain Faf du Plessis early in the innings. However, Virat Kohli and Will Jacks steadied the ship with a brilliant 166-run partnership. Kohli played the role of anchor, scoring an unbeaten 70 off 44 balls, while Jacks took the attack to the GT bowlers.

Jacks initially struggled to find his rhythm but found his groove with the help of Kohli. The Englishman reached his half-century off 31 balls and then exploded, scoring the next 50 runs in just 10 deliveries. He took apart GT's star spinner Rashid Khan, smashing him for 29 runs in the 16th over, including four sixes in five balls.

Jacks brought up his maiden IPL century with a six off Rashid, reaching the milestone in just 41 balls - the fifth-fastest century in IPL history. His unbeaten knock of 100 included 9 fours and 7 sixes. Kohli, who was at the non-striker's end, celebrated Jacks' achievement with a hug and a laugh.

Earlier, GT had posted a competitive total of 200/3 in their 20 overs, thanks to impressive knocks from Sai Sudharsan (83 not out) and Shahrukh Khan (50). However, their efforts proved insufficient as RCB chased down the target in just 16 overs, with Jacks hitting the winning runs.

Why this matters: The stunning victory keeps RCB's playoff hopes alive in the highly competitive IPL 2024 season. Jacks' incredible batting display showcased the immense talent of overseas players in the league and their ability to single-handedly change the course of a match.

After the match, Jacks described his innings as an 'amazing feeling' and a 'huge learning curve' from batting with Kohli. "I was struggling initially, but Virat's intensity helped me find my rhythm," he said. Kohli praised Jacks' performance, saying, "He got his second fifty in just 10 balls. It was like a day off in the golf course for me." RCB will face GT again on May 4 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Key Takeaways

• RCB defeated GT by 9 wickets in IPL 2024 match on April 28.
• RCB's Will Jacks scored a 41-ball century, the 5th fastest in IPL history.
• Jacks and Kohli's 166-run partnership guided RCB's successful chase of 201 runs.
• Jacks' innings included 9 fours and 7 sixes, with 50 runs in just 10 balls.
• The win keeps RCB's playoff hopes alive in the highly competitive IPL 2024 season.