Virat’s Batting ‘Shows the Enthusiasm he Still Brings to the Game’: Ashwin

Virat Kohli once again underlined his stature as one of the premier batters in the Indian Premier League with an unbeaten 69 that powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a commanding chase of 202.

Pursuing a competitive target on the Chinnaswamy pitch, RCB completed the chase in just 15.4 overs, registering the fastest 200-plus chase in IPL history with 26 balls to spare.

The innings was anchored by Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 69 off 38 deliveries, while Devdutt Padikkal set the tone with a blistering 61 off 26 balls.

After a long break from T20 cricket, Kohli appeared in top form and played a central role in the team’s strong start to the 2026 season.

Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted Kohli’s relentless energy and mindset even when the chase was under control.

How does Virat Kohli’s energy and mindset continue to stand out for RCB, according to Ashwin?

“I find him quite bizarre at this age. I tell him this during our chats now and then. He was batting on 40-odd, there was a partnership going on, and RCB were coasting. He ran through for the first single, stopped there, and the other batter hadn’t even reached halfway, but he was already looking for a second,” JioStar expert Ravichandran Ashwin was quoted as saying exclusively on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live’.

“That was a 57-metre boundary on the leg side, and it shows the enthusiasm he still brings to the game,” he added.

“And if this is the way RCB are going to bat, Virat just needs to bat the full 20 overs," Ashwin said.

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar credited the opening pair for laying the foundation of the chase.

"The way Devdutt and Virat started, I think that was a good base for us, and after that, it wasn't as if we wanted to finish early, and the game kept on going, and we kept on scoring runs," he said.

"Then we decided that we would chase as early as possible. Not easy to chase 200, the way the boys batted was quite phenomenal, they bowled nicely as well," Patidar added.

What did Dale Steyn say about Virat Kohli’s improved six-hitting ability?

Former South African pacer Dale Steyn praised Kohli’s evolution, particularly his enhanced six-hitting ability.

“A lot of players, when they reach the level Virat Kohli is at right now, look to change their game by a couple of percentages," Steyn said on JioStar.

"That is what Virat has been doing every IPL season. He looks for ways to improve himself and the new improvement which he has made in his game is his six-hitting ability, which has increased over the last two seasons,” he added.

Kohli’s transformation at the top of the order is also reflected in his powerplay numbers.

His shot percentage in the first six overs has risen sharply from 31.5 per cent in 2020 to 66.3 per cent in 2025, according to CricViz.

The year-on-year rise highlights a clear tactical shift, especially from 2022 onward, as Kohli has consistently increased his scoring involvement early in the innings to capitalise on fielding restrictions.

By 2025, his approach in the powerplay has become markedly more proactive and dominant, underlining a successful adaptation to the evolving demands of T20 cricket.

(With inputs from ANI)