Virat Kohli ignites dressing-room fire after LSG defeat, reminds RCB how they won six matches: ‘Were only worried…’

Virat Kohli delivered a fiery dressing-room speech, reminding the players of the mindset and intensity that helped them win six matches earlier in the season

Updated on: May 8, 2026, 21:18:42 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their title defence in commanding fashion, looking dominant with the bat and clinical with the ball during the opening phase of the season. However, over the last few games, their momentum has started to fade. Three defeats in their previous five matches have dented their campaign, and Thursday’s loss to bottom-placed Lucknow Super Giants proved another setback as they missed the opportunity to climb to the top of the points table. More concerning for RCB has been the manner of those performances. The sharpness and killer instinct that defined them early in the season have been missing in crucial moments with both bat and ball. Their fielding, which was one of the team’s biggest strengths at the start of the tournament, has also dipped noticeably, with several costly errors and missed chances allowing opponents to regain control at key stages of matches.

Virat Kohli made sure the RCB squad remembered how they won six matches. (Hindustan Times)

The defeat against LSG was a major setback for RCB, leaving the team needing to win at least 2 of its remaining 4 matches to secure a playoff spot. After the game, former skipper Virat Kohli delivered a passionate dressing-room speech, reminding the players of the mindset and intensity that helped them win six matches earlier in the season. Kohli urged the squad to step onto the field in the next game with complete enjoyment and excitement.

“Why did we get those six wins? Because we were enjoying, and we were only worried about our standards, and we’re not even looking at the opposition," Kohli said in the video shared by RCB on X.

“And I want to see absolute enjoyment and excitement to get back in the park, regardless of what the jersey colour on the other side is," he added.

Also Read - MS Dhoni left irritated by Ravichandran Ashwin's celebration: ‘What’s there to celebrate so much?'

Kohli outsmarted by Prince

Meanwhile, Kohli endured a rare off-day during the 213-run chase against Lucknow Super Giants, falling for a two-ball duck to an outstanding delivery from Prince Yadav. The dismissal was cleverly set up by the young pacer. Prince first bowled one that moved away from Kohli, forcing him to stay watchful outside off stump. On the very next ball, he brought one back sharply into the batter, completely deceiving the former RCB skipper. Kohli looked stunned after losing his wicket and remained at the crease for a few seconds in disbelief before slowly making his way back to the pavilion.

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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