Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels RCB opener won’t have it easy at the IPL since he plays only ODIs, but insists the star batter has the experience and ability to perform well
RCB opener Virat Kohli. Pic/AFP
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes things will be different and more challenging for stalwart Virat Kohli in the upcoming IPL season as the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain will be playing his first IPL after retiring from Test cricket last year and is now active only in the ODI format.
Pathan also added that despite Kohli’s strong performance in ODIs, even after the break, the same will not happen in T20s, as it will pose a different challenge for the charismatic batter.
“This time, things will be a little different for Kohli. For the first time, he will play the IPL after completely retiring from Test cricket. He is playing only one format, which is not easy for anyone. But he has scored runs, and his performance has been brilliant. Even when he comes after a break, it has not been difficult for him in one-day cricket,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
Irfan Pathan
“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,” he added.
Pathan also said that Kohli’s approach of hitting from the onset with a high strike-rate throughout the innings proved to be a big reason behind RCB’s title win in 2025.
“Virat Kohli and RCB are identities that go 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 the anchor role but took on the role of an aggressor. It was a very big factor,” he noted.
657
No. of runs scored by Virat Kohli in 15 IPL games last season — the most for RCB
8661
No. of runs scored by Kohli in 267 IPL matches — the most by any player
8
Total number of centuries scored by Kohli in the IPL — the most by any player
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