For years, opposition teams found success in slowing Virat Kohli down with spin. If pace wasn’t on offer, Kohli’s scoring gears seemed restricted. But that perception has shifted. Over the past year, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) talisman has reshaped his game against slower bowlers with a more proactive approach. And as he prepares to take on Chennai Super Kings in Chepauk – a venue where spinners often dictate terms – his battle against R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad will be under the microscope once again.
Kohli’s intent was evident from the very first match of IPL 2025. His innings was full of intent, as he remained unbeaten on 59 off just 36 deliveries, reflecting a clear shift in his approach against spin. RCB mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik, who has seen Kohli’s approach from close quarters, believes the former RCB captain is batting as fluently as ever.
“He has batted well in the recent past against spin, especially in white-ball cricket,” Karthik said.
“I don’t want to go too deep into stats, but if you look at big matches, like the [T20] World Cup final, he delivered when it mattered. Even in the Champions Trophy, he was India’s second-highest run-getter. That doesn’t happen without playing spin well.”
Beyond the numbers, what stands out is Kohli’s drive to improve. Karthik recalled a recent moment from RCB’s training session that reinforced Kohli’s never-ending quest for excellence.
{{/usCountry}}Beyond the numbers, what stands out is Kohli’s drive to improve. Karthik recalled a recent moment from RCB’s training session that reinforced Kohli’s never-ending quest for excellence.
{{/usCountry}}“You speak to him even today – just now as I came out – he wanted to work on one more shot. At this stage of his career, for him to still want to add something new to his game tells you everything about his hunger,” Karthik said. “He just wants to improve and keep raising the bar. That’s what makes him a special player.”
A blockbuster clash
The clash between RCB and CSK is among the blockbuster games of the tournament due to the presence of two of the biggest stars in Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Last year, the rivalry produced an epic finish in the group stage game towards the end of the season, which also served as a virtual knock-out for playoffs, with RCB clinching a thrilling win.
Chepauk’s spin-friendly nature will be a stern test, but Kohli has shown he thrives on challenges. The old notion of slowing him down with spin may no longer hold true.