Virat Kohli Reflects on His IPL Journey and Evolution as a Cricketer
Virat Kohli's IPL Evolution
Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli recently shared his experiences and growth throughout his Indian Premier League (IPL) career during an engaging session at ‘18 Calling 18’ on JioHotstar.
Kohli reminisced about the challenges and triumphs he faced in the IPL, discussing his early hurdles, pivotal moments, and how the tournament has significantly influenced his development as a player.
He recalled the overwhelming feelings he experienced when he first joined the IPL in 2008, stepping into a locker room filled with some of the best cricketers in India.
“When I debuted in the IPL, I was completely in awe. I had only met a few players like Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh from our North Zone days, so entering a dressing room with legends such as Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid felt surreal. However, with that excitement came immense pressure. I realized my skills weren't quite at their level, and I needed to prove myself. That pressure weighed heavily on me during my first season, but the experience was unforgettable,” Kohli reflected.
As he looked back on his early years with Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli noted how his career took a turn once he established consistency and secured a stable batting position.
“In my initial three years with RCB, I didn’t get many chances to bat at the top. I often batted lower down the order, which hindered my ability to make a significant impact in the IPL, aside from a few notable performances,” he explained.
“However, the 2009 season was a turning point for me. The pitches that year suited my style—the ball was coming onto the bat well, allowing me to play my shots more freely. It was certainly an intriguing phase in my career,” he added.
“From 2010 onwards, my performance improved consistently, and by 2011, I was regularly batting at number three. That’s when my IPL journey truly began to flourish,” he stated.
Kohli also elaborated on the mindset that has influenced his decisions on the field, highlighting that his approach has always been dictated by the match context rather than personal ambition.
“If you observe recent matches, like one in the Champions Trophy, Shreyas (Iyer) took the lead. It was never about ego. If I was in form and the game was flowing, I naturally took charge. If someone else was better positioned to lead, they would. It’s never been about overshadowing anyone or doubting my abilities. It’s always been about understanding the game situation—and that’s something I take pride in. I aim to play according to what the situation requires,” he explained.
Kohli also discussed how the unique format of the IPL has impacted his T20 game.
“The IPL presents challenges in a distinct manner due to its structure. Unlike a short bilateral series, it lasts several weeks, and your standing on the points table is constantly changing. This dynamic creates various pressures. When you’re leading, there’s pressure to maintain that position. If you’re at the bottom, you need extra motivation to recover. And if you’re in the middle, needing to win, say, three out of five matches, even one loss can escalate the pressure significantly.
“This ever-changing nature of the tournament mentally and competitively challenges you in ways that other formats do not. It has also motivated me to continuously enhance and adapt my T20 skills,” Kohli concluded.