AB de Villiers Calls Virat Kohli the Heartbeat of RCB Ahead of IPL 2026
Kohli: The Heartbeat of RCB
AB de Villiers, the former player for South Africa and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has praised Virat Kohli as the "heartbeat" of the team as they gear up for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Kohli, who has dedicated all 18 of his IPL seasons to RCB, celebrated his first championship victory last season when the team secured its inaugural trophy. As the leading run-scorer in IPL history with 8,661 runs across 267 matches, Kohli remains a pivotal figure for the franchise.
Kohli's Influence and Leadership
During an interview on JioStar, de Villiers emphasized Kohli's vital role at RCB, attributing it to his consistent performance, leadership qualities, and the vibrant energy he brings to the team. He noted that Kohli's ability to motivate younger players was crucial, and unlike in previous seasons, the team's triumph last year stemmed from a collective effort rather than depending solely on a few star players. "Virat is undoubtedly the heartbeat of the franchise, not just because of his batting consistency but also due to his presence and the spirit he instills in the squad," de Villiers remarked.
Teamwork Leads to Success
In the IPL 2025 final, RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings by a narrow margin of six runs, with Kohli being the top scorer for his team, contributing 43 runs. However, de Villiers pointed out that Kohli was supported by teammates like Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd, who all played significant roles in the match. He stressed that the team's success was a result of shared contributions throughout the season, which alleviated the pressure on Kohli. With a well-rounded squad, RCB is well-positioned to contend for the title once more.
Strong Prospects for the Upcoming Season
De Villiers expressed optimism about RCB's chances in the upcoming season, stating, "They are in a great position. The squad remains largely unchanged, and they have every reason to believe they can repeat their success this season."
Kohli's Readiness for IPL 2026
De Villiers also conveyed his confidence in Kohli's readiness for IPL 2026, commending his exceptional work ethic. Despite Kohli's recent break from the game, having only participated in ODIs for India after retiring from Tests and T20Is, de Villiers believes Kohli will be fully prepared. "He has the best work ethic I've ever seen, so he won't enter the tournament unprepared. If he struggles, it will be due to form or a technical issue. I anticipate a fantastic season from him, and RCB has the potential to achieve back-to-back titles," de Villiers concluded.