‘Most Important Cricketer Ever?’ Stuart Broad’s Huge Praise for Virat Kohli

Stuart Broad praised Virat Kohli after RCB’s IPL 2026 title win, calling him one of cricket’s most important players ever.

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad showered praise on Virat Kohli after Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second straight IPL title with a 5-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Kohli anchored the chase brilliantly with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls as RCB chased 156 with 12 balls remaining.

Broad, one of only 2 bowlers with 600 Test wickets, called Kohli one of the most important cricketers of the last 15 years. Speaking on the “For the Love of Cricket” podcast, Broad highlighted Kohli’s remarkable trophy collection, including the Under-19 World Cup, 2 Champions Trophy titles, the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, 3 years as World Test Championship mace holders and now 2 IPL trophies.

“There is an argument that he could be the most important cricketer ever in such a moving environment that we’ve seen over the last, sort of, 15 years. For clarity on his achievements, he’s won the under-19 World Cup as captain. Champions Trophy trophy twice, ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, held the World Test Championship Mace as captain for 3 years and now 2 IPL titles,” he said.

Stuart Broad also compared Kohli’s IPL journey with golfer Rory McIlroy’s long wait for another major title. Broad praised Kohli’s hunger and leadership, saying back-to-back titles demand constant motivation and mental reset from players and teams.

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“And it did feel like the IPL was going to be the one that slipped past him, didn’t it? It’s sort of that Rory McIlroy scenario where everyone was sort of desperate for him to win. It looked like he just wasn’t going to get over the line. And then once he’s won it, gone back to back. And there must have been some good leadership around that group, including him, to be able to, I don’t know, it’s not easy to go back to back. It’s not easy just to turn up for the next season. Oh, we’ll just do it again. You know, you have to reset your goals. You have to reset your motivation and drive. And Kohli just never lacks drive, does he?” the former cricketer added.

Virat Kohli in IPL 2026

Virat Kohli delivered one of his finest IPL seasons in 2026 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their title. Playing a more aggressive role at the top, Kohli finished as RCB’s leading run-scorer with 675 runs in 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.85, his highest ever in an IPL season.

The former RCB captain smashed 1 century and 5 half-centuries during the campaign, including his 9th IPL hundred against Kolkata Knight Riders. Kohli also attacked heavily in the powerplay, attempting boundaries on 47 percent of deliveries faced.

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In the final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, Kohli guided RCB to a 156-run chase with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls. He reached his fifty in just 25 deliveries, the fastest IPL half-century of his career.

Kohli also claimed his 22nd IPL Player of the Match award as RCB became only the third franchise to win back-to-back IPL titles.