IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan Reckons Virat Kohli To Be Determined And Help RCB Win Again.

Former India left arm pacer and now cricket expert turned commentator Irfan Pathan reckons that Virat Kohli will be more determined than ever to secure back-to-back Indian Premier League titles after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first-ever trophy win in 2025. Virat Kohli was instrumental in RCB’s IPL triumph last year as he made a vital 43 in the final against Punjab Kings and finished the season as the team’s top run getter with 657 runs in 15 games.

Irfan Pathan comments on Virat Kohli’s hunger and determination that could help RCB. 

Speaking on Jio Star, Irfan Pathan said: “The hunger in Virat Kohli will be there. In fact, he will be hungrier than ever, especially after lifting the IPL trophy last season. He will want to win back-to-back IPL trophies. That hunger in him to win and create the impact is always going to be there.” 

Irfan Pathan also highlighted Kohli’s new found passion in his recent international games for India. He said: “We have seen that when he played for India, especially in the one-day series against South Africa and New Zealand. He looks like he wants to make an impact in every game. I think he will have the same kind of passion when he comes back this season. He will want to lift the trophy once again.” 

For the record, RCB will open IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Karnataka government recently cleared the venue to host IPL matches after no competitive game was held following the tragic loss of 11 lives in a stampede during the team’s IPL victory celebrations in June 2025. But the matches at the aforementioned venue will proceed only if they receive clearance from an expert committee constituted by the Karnataka state government on Friday.

Irfan Pathan Identifies Devdutt Padikkal as key player for RCB this season. 

In the same discussion, Irfan Pathan expressed confidence in left handed top order batter Devdutt Padikkal to play a key role in RCB’s campaign this season. The left-hander scored 247 runs in 10 games at a strike rate of 150.60 last season in 2025.

Irfan Pathan said: “Devdutt Padikkal is going to play a major role in RCB’s success in IPL 2026. He has scored runs left, right and centre in domestic cricket across all formats. He looks like a very improved player. There was a time when he was struggling, wasn’t getting his timing right. But that is in the past now. Devdutt Padikkal is a different, very confident player now.” 

Irfan Pathan also noted the shift from RCB’s past reliance on Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle to a more balanced team no. He said: What I really like about RCB is that earlier they used to rely heavily on Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle to win matches. That has changed now. Their whole playing XI is full of match winners. That is a fantastic thing.” 

Irfan Pathan Opines on Solid Back-Up options for RCB. 

Speaking on potential injury issues, Irfan Pathan felt that RCB has robust back-up options if in case Josh Hazlewood faces fitness issues. Irfan Pathan reckoned: “But going into IPL 2026, RCB will have some injury concerns, especially with Josh Hazlewood’s fitness. The good thing is they have secured good back-ups. The duo of Nuwan Thushara and Jacob Duffy can cover well for Hazlewood if he faces fitness issues. That makes RCB even stronger.” 

It remains to be seen how RCB goes along in the upcoming season. Of course, Virat Kohli will be key and will be doing his bit for sure. How others perform remains to be seen and whether the back-up to Hazlewood can do the job should Hazlewood remain unavailable will be an interesting watch for sure. But RCB definitely are going to be contenders this season as well.

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