New Delhi, March 12: Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan believes that Virat Kohli will be hungrier than ever for success in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, especially after leading the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to their first trophy in 2025.
Kohli played a crucial role in RCB’s victory, scoring 43 runs in the final against Punjab Kings. Throughout the 2025 season, he amassed 657 runs across 15 matches, making him the top scorer for RCB.
Pathan stated on ‘JioStar’, “Kohli’s hunger will remain intact. In fact, he will be hungrier than before, particularly after lifting the IPL trophy last season. He will strive to win consecutive IPL titles. This desire to win and make an impact will always be present in him.”
He also noted that Kohli’s passion was evident in his recent international matches. “We saw this when he played for India, especially during the ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand. It seems he wants to make an impact in every match. I believe he will return with that same passion this season, eager to lift the trophy again.”
RCB will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Left-handed top-order batsman Devdutt Padikkal scored 247 runs at a strike rate of 150.60 in 10 matches last season. Pathan expects Padikkal to play a significant role in RCB’s campaign this year.
He remarked, “Devdutt Padikkal is set to be a key player in RCB’s success in IPL 2026. He has scored runs in all formats of domestic cricket. He looks like a much better player now. There was a time when he struggled with his timing, but that is a thing of the past. Padikkal is now a different player, full of confidence.”
Pathan also highlighted the transformation in RCB’s team dynamics. “What I like most about RCB now is that they no longer rely solely on Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle to win matches. Their entire playing eleven is filled with match-winners, which is fantastic.”
He acknowledged concerns regarding injured player Josh Hazlewood’s fitness but noted that RCB has strong backup options. “Before heading into IPL 2026, RCB will have some worries about injured players, especially Hazlewood’s fitness. The good news is they have solid backups. The duo of Nuwan Tushara and Jacob Duffy can effectively cover for Hazlewood’s fitness issues, making RCB even stronger.”
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