Virat Kohli ‘at peak of his powers’ ahead of IPL 2026, Andy Flower makes powerful assertion about his current mindset

RCB head coach Andy Flower reflected on Virat Kohli's form and expressed confidence in his mindset.

Published on: Mar 27, 2026, 19:30:29 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Virat Kohli and RCB begin their title defence on Saturday in the season opener against SRH, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. He is the leading all-time run-scorer in the tournament's history with 8661 runs in 267 matches.

RCB's Virat Kohli during a practice session. (RCB)

Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, RCB head coach Andy Flower reflected on the veteran batter's form and expressed confidence in his mindset. Kohli holds the official records for most runs scored in a single season (973 runs in 2016) and most career IPL tons (8).

Also Read: ‘Difficult for MS Dhoni in IPL 2026’: CSK star called out for being ‘on the wrong side of 40’; Kohli backed to perform

"Virat is in a really good space mentally. He’s very comfortable with himself but still incredibly hungry and watching him strike the ball in training, he looks at the peak of his powers," he said.

Andy Flower on Rajat Patidar's captaincy

Kohli is also no longer the RCB skipper, having stepped down in 2021. Since then, Faf du Plessis has taken over the role and now it's Rajat Patidar, who led them to their maiden IPL title last season. Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma is his deputy.

"It’s pretty amazing that in Rajat’s first year of captaincy he led RCB to the trophy. He’s a very likeable man and he’s well respected in the dressing room. He stays nice and calm, which the bowlers really appreciate. Jitesh is a very good deputy as well. He’s energetic, tactically aware and sees a lot of the game from behind the stumps, so having those two working together around the square is valuable for the team." he said.

Analysing the team's performances at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Flower claimed, "We lost our first three matches at Chinnaswamy last year and we learned from those experiences. Conditions might be slightly different this time as well, so we’ll have to assess that. But at your home venue you should have a better understanding of the nuances of the conditions than your opposition. We’ve been practicing here and talking a lot about those aspects, so I’d like to think we’ll be slightly ahead of the opposition on our own surface."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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