Virat Kohli 'changed a lot after retiring from Test cricket'
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 69 powered RCB to a successful chase, showing his top form after a T20 break. Dale Steyn praised his improved six-hitting and evolving mindset. Kohli’s aggressive approach has grown over time.
Devdutt Padikkal said Kohli’s presence eased pressure, while also crediting coaches Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik for his development.
Virat Kohli showed once again why he remains one of the best in the IPL, playing an unbeaten 69 to help RCB chase down 202 comfortably. After a long break from T20 cricket, he looked in top form and played a key role in the team’s strong start to the 2026 season. Former South African pacer Dale Steyn praised Kohli’s growth as a batter, especially his improved six-hitting ability in recent seasons.
“A lot of players, when they reach the level Virat Kohli is at right now, look to change their game by a couple of percentages. That is what Virat has been doing every IPL season. He looks for ways to improve himself and the new improvement which he has made in his game is his six-hitting ability, which has increased over the last two seasons,” Steyn said on JioStar.
Steyn also explained how Kohli’s mindset has changed over time, adding, “In the past, Virat had a set mindset of playing a particular shot. But now, his mentality has changed a lot after retiring from Test cricket. Virat is so good and backs himself so much that he is able to execute the aerial shots time and again.