Irfan Pathan Lays Out New Challenge For Virat Kohli Ahead Of IPL 2026

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season could test Virat Kohli in new ways.

Virat Kohli, who has stepped away from both T20Is and Test cricket after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, is now focused solely on ODIs at the international level. According to Pathan, this shift could make his transition into a high-intensity T20 tournament like the IPL more demanding.

“This time, things will be a little different for Kohli. For the first time, he will play the IPL having completely retired from Test cricket. He is playing only one format. It is not easy for anyone. But he has scored and his performance has been brilliant.

Even when he comes after a break, it has not been difficult for him in one-day cricket. 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 said on his YouTube channel.

Kohli’s Evolution Into an Aggressor For RCB

Pathan also pointed out how Kohli’s change in approach last season proved crucial for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Moving away from a traditional anchor role, Kohli adopted a more aggressive style, which significantly boosted his strike rate and overall impact.

This transformation played a key role in RCB finally clinching their maiden IPL title, with Kohli continuing to remain the backbone of the franchise.

“Virat Kohli and RCB is an identity that goes 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 anchor but took the role of an aggressor. It was a very big factor. They will expect even this time that he keeps up the same form,” he stated.

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Emotional Connect With RCB Fans and Title Win

Reflecting on RCB’s long-awaited success, Pathan revealed his emotional connection with the franchise’s fan base. Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, RCB ended their title drought by defeating Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final.

Pathan admitted that he often wished for RCB’s victory, considering the unwavering support of their fans over the years.

“For a team that has waited so many years, as much as the team and their fans have waited, then when victory comes, the memories of it will always be there. They waited for 17 years. As an ex-cricketer, whenever I used to look at RCB fans, I would pray from my heart to make them win, let their dream of having that trophy once be completed. This was my wish so many times just looking at their fans. This time they will enter the ground with the title of defending champions,” he expressed.