New Delhi: As the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) nears, attention is focused on Virat Kohli. With the start of IPL 2025 approaching, the key question is how the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) player will approach the season following his retirement from international T20Is. Last year, he received criticism regarding his strike rate, particularly during matches against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Bengaluru and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur, which attracted notable analysis from experts.
Although Kohli scored runs in both matches, his playing style did not satisfy fans and analysts. Even though he batted in favorable conditions, he did not display the expected aggression, and RCB’s defeats in those games heightened the discussion about his scoring pace. As the T20 World Cup squad selection approached, the scrutiny increased, with critics wondering if Kohli still possessed the determination and capability to excel throughout the matches.
AB de Villiers, a prominent figure from South Africa and a key player for RCB, expressed his support for Kohli, emphasizing that the former Indian captain frequently endures unfair criticism. He pointed out that external opinions can sometimes affect Kohli. Last season, Kohli openly acknowledged the surrounding discussions, making it evident during post-match presentations that he is aware of media commentary. He even directed a sharp comment towards commentators, highlighting that it is easier to criticize from a comfortable vantage point, away from the intensity of the game.
AB de Villiers expressed that he believes Virat Kohli has faced unwarranted criticism in recent seasons. He noted that Kohli is performing exceptionally well with the bat and acknowledged that external opinions may have had some impact on him. De Villiers reflected on his own experiences, stating that during his playing career, he also encountered outside noise that, while it did not directly affect his performance, was something he considered. He emphasized the human aspect of dealing with such pressures during a discussion in the Star Sports Press Room on Explosive Rankings in response to a question from Hindustan Times.
Upon arriving at his hotel room, one might question their worthiness and place on the team. Thoughts may arise about whether to discuss changing batting positions with the coach or if their actions are benefiting the team. Virat, despite being a dedicated team player and an ordinary person, certainly experiences these uncertainties. However, what sets Virat apart is his remarkable capacity to concentrate when it truly counts, setting aside distractions and prioritizing the team’s needs. His intense focus was evident during the Champions Trophy.
de Villiers is of the opinion that Virat has a lot to offer despite his retirement from T20 internationals. He stated, “While he may have stepped back from international T20 cricket, I believe Virat still has a lot to contribute, particularly with the batting lineup that RCB has this season. I don’t anticipate that Virat will experience much pressure. He can simply focus on playing according to the situation, which is when he performs at his peak.”
de Villiers believes that Virat Kohli should not worry too much about his strike rate this season, as Phil Salt will handle much of the aggressive batting.
“Virat appears to be enjoying his cricket. I don’t think he needs to increase his strike rate while batting alongside Phil Salt, who is one of the most aggressive players we’ve ever seen. I believe he will relieve a lot of pressure from Virat. Virat should continue his long-standing approach of controlling the game and playing intelligently,” he stated.
“He possesses the best instincts of any player out there, knowing when to accelerate and when to hold back. Virat should lead the batting lineup in this tournament, ensuring everything stays cohesive and playing smart cricket to avoid collapses in the batting order,” he added.
