Ahmedabad: Virat Kohli delivered both with the bat and his words after guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second consecutive Indian Premier League title in 2026, making a striking statement about the influence of emerging talent in modern cricket.
The 37-year-old veteran, who smashed an unbeaten 75 in the final against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, hinted at how the rise of young players has pushed him to evolve his game, without naming anyone directly.
“Young players push you to up the ante”
Speaking after the match, Kohli reflected on his fastest-ever T20 half-century, which came off just 25 balls during the title-winning chase.
“Such is the demand that super young players are pushing you to up the ante,” Kohli said, in what many interpreted as a powerful acknowledgement of the new generation making its mark in the league.
He emphasised that his transformation was more mental than technical.
“I had to change my mindset, not my game so much, take on bowlers and get extra runs,” he added.
The statement stood out as a defining moment, showing how even one of the greatest batters of his generation continues to adapt under pressure from younger talent.
Dream fulfilled after long wait
Ahmedabad: Kohli’s performance carried emotional weight, as he finally achieved a long-cherished dream—hitting the winning runs in an IPL final.
“(It is the) stuff you dream of. I thought of this moment many times, wanting to hit the winning run,” he said during the post-match presentation.
After waiting 18 years for his first IPL title, Kohli now has two, underlining both persistence and evolution in his career.
Team effort key to RCB success
Beyond individual brilliance, Kohli highlighted the collective strength of the RCB squad as a defining factor behind their dominant campaign.
In the first 10 matches alone, eight different players won the Player of the Match award, reflecting a balanced and dependable unit.
“We’ve had to wait for so long and then, just to have a group of guys where you feel like you’re stepping onto the ground, you don’t need to be the one to step up every time,” Kohli said.
He praised the bowling unit in particular, including Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy and Krunal Pandya, for delivering consistently throughout the tournament.
Calm mindset and clarity in chase
Ahmedabad: Kohli revealed that clarity of thought and confidence in the squad helped him stay composed during the final chase.
“I felt really relaxed coming in. The team we have gives confidence to see any kind of situation through,” he said.
He also shared a tactical insight, mentioning that he told Venkatesh Iyer to dominate the powerplay and put the opposition under pressure early.
This approach allowed RCB to control the game and chase down the target comfortably.
Respectful approach sets tone
Kohli underlined that RCB’s mindset throughout the season was built on respect and focus rather than aggression towards opponents.
“Our first target was to go top of the table. We didn’t care what jersey was in front of us. We’re respectful, don’t poke any team,” he said.
He added that big matches require experienced players to step up, a role he embraced in the final with his match-winning knock.
Fans turn away game into home support
Ahmedabad: Despite playing at Gujarat’s home venue, Kohli noted that overwhelming fan support turned the atmosphere in RCB’s favour.
“We have 14 home games, not seven… 90 per cent of the fans are on our side,” he said, expressing gratitude to supporters.
Conclusion
Kohli’s performance and post-match remarks captured the essence of modern T20 cricket—a blend of experience and youthful energy. His “mic-drop” statement about young players pushing veterans to improve reflects a shifting dynamic in the IPL, where competition within teams is as intense as that between opponents.
As RCB celebrate back-to-back titles, Kohli’s evolution stands as a testament to adaptability, proving that even the most accomplished players must continue learning to stay ahead in the game.
