AB de Villiers Backs Virat Kohli as RCB's Heartbeat Ahead of IPL 2026
AB de Villiers Praises Virat Kohli's Role in RCB
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 18: AB de Villiers, the former South African cricketer and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star, has lauded Virat Kohli as the "heartbeat" of the team as they gear up for the IPL 2026 season. He expressed confidence in RCB's ability to defend their title, which they won last season.
Having dedicated all 18 seasons of his IPL career to RCB, Kohli is set to embark on his 19th season with the franchise. Last year marked a significant milestone for him as RCB secured their first-ever IPL trophy. Kohli stands out as the league's leading run-scorer, amassing 8,661 runs across 267 matches.
During an interview on JioStar, de Villiers emphasized Kohli's pivotal role at RCB, attributing it to his unwavering consistency, leadership qualities, and the vibrant energy he brings to the team. He noted that Kohli's influence extends to motivating younger players, and highlighted that the team's triumph last season was a result of collective effort rather than depending solely on a few key players.
“Virat is undoubtedly the heartbeat of the franchise. His performances and the consistency he has maintained over the years, along with his presence and energy, are invaluable. His dedication to the team, both on and off the field, is remarkable,” de Villiers remarked.
He added, “Kohli instills confidence in the younger players, making them believe they can achieve victory, as RCB did last year. While he was a top run-scorer, it was refreshing to see contributions from other players as well. In the past, RCB often relied heavily on just a few individuals, but last season, the entire team played a part.”
In the IPL 2025 final, RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings by a narrow margin of six runs, with Kohli scoring 43 runs in the first innings. However, de Villiers pointed out that Kohli was supported by players like Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd, who all made significant contributions, while Krunal Pandya excelled with the ball.
He stressed that the team's success stemmed from shared contributions throughout the season, alleviating pressure on Kohli. With a well-rounded squad, RCB is well-positioned to contend for the title once more.
“The final showcased how teamwork can lead to success, with Kohli scoring 43 runs off 35 balls. However, it was Patidar, Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd who played crucial roles in achieving a high strike rate, helping the team post a total exceeding 190 runs. Krunal Pandya also made vital contributions with the ball. This season, Kohli can sense that he is not the sole player carrying the burden; he has a team of dedicated players around him, all striving for the trophy,” de Villiers explained.
“I believe they are in an excellent position. The squad remains largely unchanged, and they have every reason to be optimistic about their chances this upcoming season,” he added.
De Villiers expressed complete faith in Kohli's readiness for IPL 2026, commending his work ethic and asserting that he will be fully prepared despite a break. Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, last played during the ODI series against New Zealand in January, where he scored 124 runs.
“Firstly, he possesses the best work ethic I have ever witnessed. Therefore, he will not enter the tournament unprepared. If he struggles, it will be due to form or a technical issue. I anticipate a fantastic season from him. After a good rest, he must be feeling energized. There’s no doubt he will be ready, and RCB has the potential to win back-to-back titles,” de Villiers concluded.