Ahmedabad: Rajat Patidar heaped rich praise on Virat Kohli, calling him an irreplaceable figure in the dressing room after Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive Indian Premier League title.
Kohli once again delivered on the biggest stage, scoring an unbeaten 75 to guide RCB to a comfortable chase of 156 against Gujarat Titans in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The victory, achieved with two overs to spare, underlined Bengaluru’s dominance in the 2026 season.
“No words to explain Kohli,” says Patidar
Speaking to reporters after the match, Patidar expressed admiration for Kohli’s sustained excellence and influence within the squad.
“If I speak about Virat Kohli, I don’t have words to explain him. He is used to doing great things,” Patidar said.
He emphasised that Kohli’s stature goes beyond his on-field performances, highlighting the learning opportunities he provides to younger players.
“He is a great player, everyone knows him — the way he bats. We all have an opportunity to learn from him on and off the field,” he added.
Patidar noted that Kohli actively engages with teammates, sharing insights about the game and offering guidance whenever needed.
Leadership through example in nets and matches
One of the key aspects that stood out for Patidar was Kohli’s unwavering intensity, whether in practice sessions or during matches.
“We spend a lot of time with him and try to learn whatever he says, regarding cricket or anything else,” Patidar said.
“He reaches out to players to talk about cricket. I always keep watching him — what he does. The one thing is that his energy in the nets is the same as it is in the match.”
This consistency, Patidar suggested, is what separates Kohli from others and cements his status as a role model in modern cricket.
Kohli caps season with match-winning knock
Known widely as “King Kohli”, the veteran opener once again proved his class in the final, finishing the chase in style with a six. His 42-ball innings included nine boundaries and three sixes, showcasing both control and aggression.
Kohli ended the 2026 IPL season with an impressive tally of 675 runs, including one century and five half-centuries, making him one of the standout performers of the tournament.
Despite stepping away from Test cricket and T20 internationals, Kohli continues to dominate franchise cricket and remains one of the biggest crowd-pullers in the sport.
Massive fan support highlights Kohli’s popularity
The final witnessed an overwhelming turnout, with more than 90,000 spectators filling the stadium. A significant number of fans donned Kohli’s iconic number 18 jersey, reflecting his enduring popularity.
The atmosphere, though technically a home game for Gujarat Titans, largely favoured RCB, with loud cheers accompanying every Kohli stroke.
His presence not only boosts team morale but also elevates the overall spectacle of the league.
Patidar joins elite list of captains
Ahmedabad: With this victory, Patidar entered an exclusive club of captains who have led their teams to back-to-back IPL titles.
He joined MS Dhoni, who achieved the feat with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, and Rohit Sharma, who guided Mumbai Indians to consecutive titles in 2019 and 2020.
Reflecting on the journey, Patidar admitted that the team played with greater composure this season.
“Last year was a lot of pressure. This year was more calm because the way we played throughout the tournament, we dominated,” he said.
Calm leadership and strong backing key factors
Patidar described his captaincy style as understated yet situationally aware, relying heavily on the support of teammates and management.
“I am not expressive but at the same time I am aware of the game situation. Of course, you need backing. There was a lot of backing by the management and the players as well,” he said.
He added that the team’s confidence stemmed from consistent performances throughout the season, which made them believe in their ability to clinch the title again.
Conclusion
Patidar’s remarks underline the enduring impact of Virat Kohli, not just as a prolific run-scorer but as a mentor and प्रेरक force within the RCB camp. His ability to inspire, guide and deliver under pressure continues to shape the team’s success.
As RCB celebrate back-to-back IPL titles, Kohli’s legacy as one of cricket’s modern icons only grows stronger, with teammates like Patidar reaffirming his unparalleled influence on and off the field.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)