Virat Kohli Faces New Challenges as IPL 2026 Approaches
Kohli's Unique Situation Ahead of IPL 2026
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has pointed out a significant challenge that Virat Kohli, the star batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will face in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The tournament is set to kick off on March 28, 2026, with RCB squaring off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Pathan emphasized that while Kohli's talent is unquestionable, this season will be different as he enters the IPL as a one-format player, having retired from both Test and T20I cricket.
The Impact of Kohli's One-Format Status
Why Kohli Being A One-Format Hits More Than Ever Ahead Of IPL 2026
Kohli concluded his T20I career after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 and announced his retirement from Test cricket prior to the series against England in May last year, coinciding with IPL 2025. This was a pivotal season for RCB, as they clinched their first title. Although he had already transitioned to a one-format player by the end of IPL 2025, the change was subtle amid the season's excitement. This time, however, his status as a one-format cricketer is unmistakable, a fact that Pathan highlights. “This time, things will be a little different for Kohli. For the first time, he will play the IPL having completely retired from Test cricket. He is playing only one format. It is not easy for anyone. But he has scored and his performance has been brilliant. Even when he comes after a break, it has not been difficult for him in one-day cricket. In T20s, when you play the aggressor and come in not having played a lot, it will be challenging. But he has faced many challenges before as well. I am very excited to see how he will go forward this season,” Pathan noted on his YouTube channel.
Kohli's Legacy with RCB
Kohli And RCB - Two Identities Woven Into One
Kohli has been synonymous with RCB since the inception of the IPL, making their identities inseparable. Under his leadership, RCB experienced some of its most successful seasons, despite falling short of the championship title. Pathan highlighted Kohli's crucial role in last year's title win, noting his impressive strike rate, which surpassed that of previous seasons as he adopted a more aggressive batting style. “Virat Kohli and RCB is an identity that goes together. He started with RCB and is still playing for them. He has delivered brilliant performances. It was also a golden period in his career when he captained the team, there were a lot of brilliant performances. When they won last season, his strike rate also went up. He did not play anchor but took the role of an aggressor. It was a very big factor. They will expect even this time that he keeps up the same form,” Pathan remarked.
Kohli's Recent Performance
Kohli's Last International Outing
In IPL 2025, Kohli was the third-highest run-scorer, accumulating 657 runs with an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71. His overall T20 career strike rate stands at 137.05. Kohli's last appearance was in the ODI series against New Zealand, where he scored 124 runs off 108 balls in the final match, although India lost the series 2-1. However, the team did secure a 4-1 victory in the subsequent T20I series.