Virat Kohli drops casual reminder about ODI form, spills secret behind playing one format after starting IPL with a bang

Virat Kohli explained how recent ODI games and consistent preparation helped him maintain rhythm and confidence.

Published on: Mar 28, 2026, 23:45:30 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Virat Kohli showed he is as formidable as ever in IPL 2026, returning to competitive cricket after more than two months and looking in complete control. He smashed an unbeaten 69 to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru comfortably through a 202-run chase in the season opener vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, reinforcing his reputation as a ‘chase master’. Kohli faced 38 balls, striking five fours and five sixes, combining timing and power with ease. His impressive strike rate of 181.58 ensured RCB chased the target with 4.2 overs to spare. The dominant innings not only secured a convincing win but also gave RCB a strong start to the season, boosting their net run rate and setting the tone for their title defence in style.

Virat Kohli smashed unbeaten 69 in the season opener. (PTI)

Alongside Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal was in fine form for RCB, scoring 61 runs in the 202-run chase. He looked in complete control, punishing the SRH bowlers and keeping the scoreboard ticking. The pair put together a crucial 101-run partnership for the second wicket, dominating the attack and effectively taking the game away from the opposition.

After another match-winning knock, Kohli reflected on his return to competitive cricket after a brief break, explaining how recent ODI games and consistent preparation helped him maintain rhythm and confidence to deliver another commanding innings.

“It’s good to get back out there. You mentioned T20 cricket, the last game I played was the final last year, but I think the way I batted in the one-day series quite recently really helped me to stay in that same kind of momentum. I wasn’t playing shots that I don’t usually play. So I knew as long as I have the rhythm, and I’ve put enough work physically behind the scenes with my fitness, things should come together nicely,” Kohli told broadcasters after the match.

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Kohli has been in outstanding form in ODIs as well, scoring five 50+ innings in his last six matches, including three centuries, underlining his remarkable consistency and proving that, even after all these years, he shows no signs of slowing down.

“Whenever I come back to play, it’s 120%”: Virat Kohli

Building on his thoughts about mental freshness and preparation, Kohli highlighted how consistent fitness work, recent match practice, and maintaining rhythm helped him stay in form, confident, and ready to deliver another commanding innings for RCB in IPL 2026.

“The kind of scheduling that we’ve had over the last 15 years and the amount of cricket I’ve played, for me, there was always a risk of getting burnt out rather than being undercooked. So these breaks help me mentally. I stay fresh, I stay excited. Whenever I come back to play, it’s 120%. I’m not coming back underprepared. In fact, the extra rest helps me mentally freshen up. And as long as you’re physically fit and mentally excited, both those things come together nicely. Then you’re able to contribute to the team’s cause, and that’s what you want to do as a player. You don’t want to just hold on to a spot; you want to keep performing and keep putting in the work for the team,” he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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