New Delhi, March 12: Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan believes that Virat Kohli will be ‘hungrier than ever’ to win consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) titles after leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their first trophy in 2025.
Kohli played a crucial role in RCB’s victory, scoring 43 runs in the final against Punjab Kings. He accumulated 657 runs over the last season, making him the highest run-scorer for RCB.
Pathan stated on ‘JioStar’, “Kohli’s hunger for success will remain intact. In fact, he will be hungrier than ever, especially after lifting the IPL trophy last season. He will want to win the IPL title consistently. This desire to win and make an impact will always be there.”
He also noted Kohli’s passion evident in recent international matches, particularly during the ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand. “We saw it when he played for India; it seems he wants to make an impact in every match. I believe he will return this season with the same passion, aiming to lift the trophy again,” Pathan added.
RCB will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Left-handed top-order batsman Devdutt Padikkal scored 247 runs at a strike rate of 150.60 in 10 matches last season. Pathan expects Padikkal to play a vital role in RCB’s campaign this time.
He remarked, “Devdutt Padikkal is going to be crucial for RCB’s success in IPL 2026. He has scored runs across all formats in domestic cricket. He looks like a much better player now. There was a time when he struggled, but that’s behind him. Padikkal is now a different player, full of confidence.”
Pathan appreciated the evolution of RCB’s team dynamics, stating, “What I like most about RCB now is that they are no longer overly reliant on Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle to win matches. Their entire playing eleven is filled with match-winners, which is fantastic.”
He also mentioned concerns regarding injured player Josh Hazlewood’s fitness but noted that RCB has strong backup options. “Before heading into IPL 2026, RCB will have concerns about some injured players, especially Hazlewood’s fitness. The good thing is they have solid backups. The duo of Nuwan Thushara and Jacob Duffy can effectively cover for Hazlewood’s fitness issues, making RCB even stronger.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
