RCB 'Very Lucky' To Have Virat Kohli In The Dressing Room: Andy Flower

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower praised Virat Kohli’s enduring hunger and commitment, saying the veteran batter continues to set the benchmark for the rest of the squad after RCB successfully defended their IPL title.

Kohli played a key role in RCB’s five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final, remaining unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls as his side chased down 156. However, Flower said Kohli’s influence extends well beyond his performances on matchdays.

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Speaking at a virtual press conference on Monday, Flower described Kohli’s work ethic as “genuinely inspiring” and said RCB were fortunate to have him in the dressing room.

“When I was in the dressing room

last night after the game, I mentioned it actually. His hunger and drive it’s genuinely inspiring. Even for older blokes like me, seeing someone as hungry and driven, as disciplined and as ambitious as he still is, it’s wonderful to witness. And we’re very lucky to have him in the dressing room.”

The former Zimbabwe captain added that Kohli’s intensity in the field naturally raises standards across the team.

“He sets certain standards of intensity in the field. Anyone falling below those is going to stand out like a sore thumb. We don’t need coaches driving intensity because he’s living it and doing it.”

Flower also highlighted Kohli’s passion for batting, saying the former India captain’s love for the game remains evident in training sessions.

“He loves batting. He loves hitting a ball. He loves the feeling of the ball meeting the middle of the bat. Those standards are easy for people in our training sessions to see.”

RCB captain Rajat Patidar also acknowledged Kohli’s influence on his development as a leader. Patidar, who led the franchise to back-to-back IPL titles, said he regularly seeks Kohli’s advice on leadership decisions. Despite no longer captaining the side, Kohli remains a central figure in the RCB setup.

“Whenever I have some kind of doubts regarding the leadership role or taking any decision, I always go to Virat bhai. For me, it’s a great opportunity to learn from the best and the greats of cricket,” Patidar said.