Ravichandran Ashwin Praises Virat Kohli's Unmatched Energy in Cricket
Ashwin Impressed by Kohli's Unique Energy
Ravichandran Ashwin, the seasoned spinner, recently shared his admiration for Virat Kohli, the batting star of India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He described Kohli's energy and determination at the crease as 'bizarre' in a commendable way. Ashwin emphasized Kohli's relentless pursuit of quick singles and his aggressive mindset, even during seemingly easy partnerships, showcasing his commitment to playing the game with intensity and integrity.
"I often tell him how remarkable he is at this stage of his career. During a recent match, while he was batting in the 40s and RCB was in a comfortable position, he sprinted for a single, then immediately sought a second, even before his partner had reached halfway. This eagerness, especially with a 57-meter boundary on the leg side, highlights the passion he continues to bring to cricket. He exemplifies how the game should be played—intensely and correctly. If this is how RCB intends to approach their batting, Kohli should aim to play the entire 20 overs," Ashwin remarked on JioHotstar.
Kohli's Stellar Performance Leads RCB to Triumph
In his first T20 match since the IPL 2025 final, Kohli played a pivotal role in RCB's significant victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL opener on Saturday. The chase commenced with Phil Salt hitting a couple of boundaries in the first over, but he was dismissed shortly after for just eight runs.
Kohli delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 69 runs off 38 balls, which included five fours and five sixes, enabling RCB to successfully chase down 202 runs in just 15.2 overs. From the very first ball, Kohli displayed exceptional form, anchoring the innings with his impressive knock.
Kohli Sets New Records
Kohli made history by becoming the first player in IPL to surpass 4000 runs in successful chases.
Additionally, he overtook former Pakistan player Shoaib Malik to rank as the sixth-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket. Malik accumulated 13,571 runs over 557 matches and 515 innings, maintaining an average of 35.99, which includes 83 half-centuries in the shortest format.