Virat Kohli at His Peak: Andy Flower Backs RCB Star Ahead of Indian Premier League Opener

Royal Challengers Bengaluru talisman Virat Kohli is at the peak of his powers and still driven by an unrelenting hunger for success, head coach Andy Flower said ahead of their Indian Premier League 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Speaking before Saturday’s clash in Bengaluru, Flower lauded Kohli’s intensity and form in the pre-season camp, highlighting the veteran batter’s flawless ball-striking in the nets. “Virat is in a really good space mentally. He’s very comfortable with himself but still incredibly hungry. Watching him strike the ball in training, he looks at the peak of his powers,” Flower said on Friday.

Defending champions RCB will be eager to kick off their title defence on a strong note, especially with top-flight cricket returning to the city after a prolonged gap. Matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium were suspended following last June’s tragic stampede outside the venue during the team’s trophy celebrations, which claimed 11 lives.

Pitch and Conditions in Focus

Flower also addressed the conditions at Chinnaswamy, an area where RCB struggled early last season. Contrary to its reputation as a batting paradise, the surface in 2025 proved tricky, troubling batters and producing lower-scoring contests.

The coach stressed the importance of adapting quickly this time around.

“We lost our first three matches here last year and learned from those experiences. Conditions may vary again, so we’ll need to assess early. At your home ground, you should understand the nuances better than the opposition. We’ve prepared with that in mind and aim to stay a step ahead,” he said.

Kohli’s Stellar 2025 Campaign

Kohli was instrumental in RCB’s maiden IPL triumph, delivering a standout season with 657 runs at a strike rate of 144. His aggressive approach, both inside and beyond the powerplay, set the tone for RCB’s batting dominance. He also showcased adaptability on challenging pitches, often anchoring the innings and steering the side to competitive totals.

Since stepping away from Test cricket during IPL 2025, Kohli has further sharpened his attacking mindset in white-ball formats — a trend RCB will hope continues in the 2026 season. With anticipation building, fans will be keenly watching the RCB icon when the season opener begins at 7:30 pm IST on Saturday.