In a candid analysis, Irfan Pathan foresees a testing IPL 2026 for Virat Kohli, the man who’s redefined Indian batting. Post-retirement from Tests and T20Is, Kohli’s singular focus on ODIs sets the stage for a unique T20 challenge in the IPL.
Pathan, during a recent YouTube session, emphasized the mental and physical adjustments ahead. ‘Playing only one format isn’t straightforward. Kohli’s ODI brilliance is undisputed, even after breaks, but T20 demands instant aggression without rhythm,’ he explained.
Kohli’s ability to conquer past hurdles fuels optimism, but Pathan warns of the format’s ruthlessness. The excitement builds around Kohli’s strategy to maintain momentum.
Diving into recent history, Pathan lauded Kohli’s role in RCB’s 2025 IPL triumph. Shifting from stabilizer to aggressor, Kohli’s elevated strike rate was game-changing. ‘From his captaincy era to last season, Kohli’s consistency with RCB is legendary. That aggressive shift was key to victory,’ Pathan observed.
Statistically dominant, Kohli has amassed 8,661 IPL runs across 267 games, averaging 39.54 with eight tons. His 2025 haul of 657 runs at 54.75 underscored his enduring impact. IPL 2026 promises to test if this form endures in a transformed career phase.