former indian cricketer Irfan Pathan RCB opener Virat Kohli made a strong statement after the opening match of IPL 2026 against SRH. Royal Challengers Bangalore successfully chased down the target of 202 runs and registered an impressive six-wicket win at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28.
Pathan praised Kohli's game awareness and maturity during the chase and highlighted how the experienced batsman adapted his approach as per the situation. When Kohli was at the crease, he allowed Devdutt Padikkal to take the lead role in the partnership, recognizing that the left-handed batsman was in great form. Despite not facing most of the balls, Kohli ensured that the scoreboard kept going and maintained a healthy strike rate.
“In the presentation after the match, he praised Padikkal and said that when Padikkal hit a six, I felt that I should give him more strikes and I wanted to do that. Despite this, when he finished his innings, his strike rate was high. No one has this understanding better than Kohli. The shot of the match was a straight chip shot that hit a six on the ground. The way he is batting and showing his fitness, it shows how much he has. He doesn't just play as an impact player, he also makes an impact in the playing XI,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
Kohli remained unbeaten while chasing the target and gave his team a strong start in the title defence. Pathan once again praised Kohli for his brilliant performance in the run chase, highlighting his poise and ability to control the game under pressure. Pathan also praised Padikkal, who created the atmosphere by playing a quick innings while attacking the opposition during the powerplay after the early dismissal of Phil Salt.
“When it comes to chasing, you won't find a bigger chasing master in the world than Virat Kohli. We have been hearing this for over a decade and we hear it even today. This is the 19th season, but even today, when it comes to chasing, there is only one person who stands out time and again. The way he paced the innings and chased the target, he was brilliant.”
He said, “The way Padikkal batted showed that if you play domestic cricket and are in good form, it will be very easy for you to perform on the big stage. It was the fastest half-century of his career. He came with a different flow. It is not easy. It was important for him to sit out Venkatesh Iyer and get a good start. It is essentially in your mind.”
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