The admiration for Kohli extends far beyond the stands, resonating deeply with those who have shared the dressing room with him. Dinesh Karthik, Kohli’s former teammate and the current batting coach and mentor for RCB, recently highlighted the specific quality that cements Virat’s status as a legend. His unparalleled cross-format mastery has attracted praises all throughout his career. Speaking on the RCB Podcast, Karthik noted that Kohli’s ability to dominate in T20s, ODIs, and Test matches simultaneously is a feat that likely won't be repeated. Karthik also claimed that he is a figure truly meant for "the folklore" of the sport. Over nearly two decades, Kohli has evolved from a fiery young prospect into a global beacon of athletic brilliance
and mental fortitude.
“What it takes to do well in T20 is a complete polar opposite skill that is required to do well in testing itself. I don't think there will be too many all-format batters or bowlers that exist. It's very rare. And Virat at one point was the only one who scored 50 across all formats. You're not going to find another Virat Kohli, I can promise you that. That is one for folklore,” said Dinesh Karthik on Virat Kohli in the RCB podcast. Virat has been one of the gems of the Indian Premier League and especially the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The fandom itself that the global cricketing icon has is unmatched in India.
🤝 DK believes we’ll never see another like Virat Kohli. To achieve what he has across all three formats is truly legendary. 🐐🇮🇳 [ Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, king Kohli, Viratians, goat, Greatest of all time, explore page, trending post] pic.twitter.com/5w8ynQQZLj
— SportsTiger (@The_SportsTiger) May 5, 2026
From Test dominance to white-ball mastery, Kohli’s unmatched versatility and lasting IPL impact
In the realm of Test cricket, Virat Kohli’s legacy is defined by a relentless pursuit of technical perfection and a transformative leadership style that prioritized pace bowling. Over more than a decade in the longest format, he notched up 29 centuries, including a remarkable phase where he converted seven of those into double hundreds. His ability to score runs in testing conditions, most notably his 593-run tour of England in 2018 which silenced critics who questioned his technique against the moving ball. Beyond the bat, his tenure as captain saw India rise to the top of the ICC rankings, anchored by a fierce aggressive mentality that made India a formidable force away from home. The experts of the game stated that even if Virat Kohli doesn’t miss Test cricket, Test cricket will surely miss Virat Kohli, the captain.
In white-ball cricket, Kohli earned the tag of the "Chase Master," exhibiting an unbelievable precision in pacing innings during high-pressure run chases. The defending side walk out to the pitch with the primary aim to get rid of Virat Kohli, when it comes to run chases. His ODI record is nothing short of legendary, having surpassed 50 centuries to become the leading centurion in the format's history. In T20 Internationals, his adaptability was equally evident; despite the format's high-risk nature, he maintained an extraordinary average and was named the Player of the Tournament in two consecutive T20 World Cups in 2014 and 2016. Whether anchoring an innings or accelerating in the death overs, his fitness and running between the wickets set a new gold standard for the modern limited-overs athlete.
As the IPL 2026 season progresses, Kohli continues to be among the top run-scorers in the league. Whether he is mentoring younger talents like Jacob Bethell or leading the charge in high-stakes matches, his influence remains solid. Not just cricketers, even athletes from various sports idolize his work ethic and his hunger for the game even at the pinnacle of his career.
