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Virat Kohli still enjoys the game and shows the same hunger and will to win every match. The 37-year-old batsman shows no signs of slowing down and there is no doubt that he is a gem in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) coffers.
Former Team India and RCB batsman Mohammad Kaif admitted that the star batsman has evolved a lot in his batting style in the IPL 2026 season to meet the expectations of modern T20 cricket.
There is no flaw in Virat Kohli even after retirement
Virat Kohli has retired from T20 International cricket after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, but continues to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore. With him at the heart of the team, RCB, who had to wait for almost 18 years to claim their first title, were crowned the best in back-to-back seasons. In both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, Virat Kohli played a key role in RCB’s victories.
Kaif stressed that Virat will play for two or three more seasons as he is enjoying the game a lot. Strike rate is one of the important parameters nowadays, which Virat has dealt with in his conditions and methods of batting. Pointing towards Virat’s T20 runs, the former cricketer mentioned that the batsman has deliberately given importance to the strike rate.
He still has to play for two-three more years: Kaif
Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel, “I think Virat Kohli is enjoying. He knows he still has two to three years to play. He will play on his own terms and answer even those who questioned his strike rate. Look at the first game and the final against Hyderabad; he has deliberately given importance to the strike rate.”
“He has scored 14000 T20 runs, which is a lot and he is improving himself again and again; that hunger is nowhere to be seen. Now, he wants to show those who are questioning him. Chasing the target of 155, if it was the Kohli of three to four years ago, he would have played run-a-ball, but he wants to show that he can dominate.”
Sai Sudarshan’s sledding went wrong
During the IPL 2026 final, when RCB was chasing the target of 156 runs, Gujarat Titans player Sai Sudarshan tried to play some mind games with Virat Kohli in the second innings. Sudarshan’s efforts went in vain as the great batsman remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls at a strike rate of 178.57, securing Bengaluru’s second consecutive title.
Kaif mentioned that sledging inspires Virat to play with more confidence, as he enjoys it on the field. Kaif said, “If a player makes up his mind that he has something to prove, that’s the way he will play. I noticed another thing: he wants someone to talk to him in big games. I think he is the only player in the world who wants competition.”
“He was talking to Sai, and there was a little bit of banter… He enjoys it. It brings extra motivation and a different energy to his batting. He wants someone to sledge with him. People think that’s what he’s doing, but that’s his way.”
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