Virat Kohli will once again be the center of attention when the Royal Challengers Bengaluru launch their IPL title defense next week. Amid the highs and lows of RCB’s IPL journey, Kohli has remained a constant
presence as a player, leader, and star performer.
A veteran of 267 IPL matches, Kohli is also the leading run-scorer in IPL history.
While the batting great has nothing left to prove, former RCB captain Anil Kumble believes a player of Kohli’s stature is always striving to improve and innovate.
It is this drive for growth that could see Kohli unleash a few unorthodox shots during the season, Kumble predicted.
“Great players always look to improve; they are never satisfied,” Kumble said on JioHotstar. “Every season, you want to make corrections — not just for the team but also for your own growth and to challenge yourself. Don’t be surprised if he (Kohli) enters this season with a different approach, perhaps trying something like the scoop shot or the reverse scoop.”
“We have seen AB de Villiers do that consistently over the years, and Virat could add that to his batting repertoire as well. Great players like him are constantly looking to evolve, improve, and challenge themselves,” he added.
RCB has traditionally been known for their batting prowess, but Kumble noted that last season, their bowlers, especially the spinners, also stepped up with consistent performances that proved vital in helping them become champions.
“What stood out for me last season were the contributions from the two spinners, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma. They brought consistency to the bowling, which helped RCB reach the final and eventually win it. The fast bowlers, of course, always had the credentials to perform their roles, whether it was Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Josh Hazlewood,” Kumble said.
RCB will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the season opener on March 28.
