Virat Kohli favoured to crack Sandeep Sharma puzzle, unlike Rohit Sharma: ‘There will be many tactical moves’

Irfan Pathan pointed out the contrasting match-ups involving Sandeep Sharma against Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Updated on: Apr 10, 2026, 18:00:00 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Virat Kohli has made a strong start to IPL 2026, showing early signs of another impactful season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru with the bat. He looks in good touch, keen to dominate bowlers in the powerplay, and has not hesitated to step out or take the aerial route when needed. There is a clear intent in his approach at the top of the order this year. In the upcoming clash, he is set to face one of his long-standing IPL challenges in Sandeep Sharma.

Virat Kohli will be up against Sandeep Sharma on Friday, who has got the better of him seven times in IPL. (ANI Pic Service)

It has been an underrated contest over the years, with the RR pacer dismissing the former India skipper seven times. Despite that record, Kohli has not held back, scoring 132 runs against him at a strike rate of 150, showing he is willing to take risks and counter the threat head-on.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan pointed out the contrasting match-ups involving Sandeep against Kohli and Rohit Sharma, highlighting how the pacer has historically troubled both but with differing impact in recent times.

“Look, Sandeep Sharma has dismissed Virat Kohli seven times. I had said against Mumbai that Sandeep Sharma should be brought in against Rohit Sharma, and Sandeep did get Rohit Sharma out. Now the concern is that Rohit Sharma’s strike rate against Sandeep stays around 100, but Virat Kohli’s strike rate against him in recent times has gone up to around 150," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

Rohit was dismissed by Sandeep for the sixth time in the rain-affected clash in Guwahati.

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Continuing his analysis, Pathan flagged a visible shift in Sandeep's approach, suggesting the bowler now relies more on variation than aggression. He also pointed to a predictable pattern in his opening deliveries, adding that a batter of Kohli’s calibre is unlikely to miss such cues.

“He steps out, tries to put pressure on the bowler, and it feels like Sandeep Sharma’s peak is now behind him. These days he looks a bit more defensive, trying to find ways to survive. He has always been a smart bowler, but a pattern has been noticed. In all three recent matches, Sandeep Sharma has used a slower delivery on the very first ball. The question is, does Virat know this? I am sure he does, because he is a top player,” he added.

“Virat Kohli might be able to counter”

Building on the tactical battle, Pathan suggested that while Sandeep Sharma might need to rethink his approach, Kohli, given his current form, looks well-equipped to counter whatever comes his way, setting up an intriguing contest of adjustments.

“Will Kohli step out on the very first ball and try to put Sandeep under pressure throughout the over? Or will Sandeep think that he needs to try something different against Kohli? Because Anshul Kamboj got him out when he stepped out, and he has pace. So can Sandeep do something different? Can he keep the length a bit fuller, avoid slower balls and instead go for swing? Can he bring the wicketkeeper up? There will be many tactical moves in this battle. It feels like Virat Kohli, the way he is batting, might be able to counter this," 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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