Virat Kohli’s game-winning knock against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was commended by former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Dale Steyn.
With 328 runs from seven innings this season, the right-hander recaptured the Orange Cap after smashing 81 off 44 balls with a strike rate of 184.09. The aim set for the reigning champions was 206.
“He’s always looking to try and get better. He’s what we talk about. He plays what’s in front of him. He reads the situation. Probably one of the best players that I’ve ever known that reads the situation and calculates how the game needs to be panned out from the first ball that he’s faced. He’s kind of worked out a road to get to the final runs. He’s the best chaser to have ever played the game,” said Kohli on ESPNcricinfo.
In the IPL 2026, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal produced a commanding second-wicket partnership of 115 off 59 balls against GT at the RCB’s home pitch, which is renowned for high-scoring games. In keeping with his impressive T20 record, Padikkal scored a fluid 55 off 27 balls, while Kohli added 59 off 32.
Kohli’s strike rate has changed significantly over the years. While it crossed 140 in the 2010s, it has since become much more explosive. For instance, it reached 154.70 in 2024, 144.71 in 2025, and 163.18 in the current season. Notably, his 2016 season, in which he scored 973 runs—the most in an IPL season—remains legendary. Moreover, with scores of 639, 741, and 657 runs in the last three seasons, he has consistently delivered, rarely falling below 400 runs in a season, except for 2017 and 2022.
“I love Kohli the batter. But the evolution of those numbers for a guy who is in his mid-30s [37] now, [that he] continues to evolve in a game that has gone high-tempo and high-gear is to me extraordinary, that he’s been able to do this and find a role for himself in such a position,” said Ian Bishop.
