Virat Kohli is once again spearheading the Royal Challengers Bengaluru charge in the ongoing edition of the IPL, the year being 2026. The star batsman reclaimed the top spot on the run charts on the back of a classy 81-ball 44 against the Gujarat Titans that propelled his team to yet another important victory.

 

Kohli's consistency at the crease is well-documented but there seems to be a marked change in the way he has played in this IPL season. His strike-rate currently stands at a healthy 163.18 which is a clear indication of an increased intent at the top, and if it continues like this will be his best strike-rate in an IPL season ever.

 

According to former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekarthe main reason behind this change in approach is the new-found belief that Kohli has in the rest of his batting unit.

 

Manjrekar stated while talking to Sportstar:

 

"Virat Kohli has stopped believing that he's the one batter who's got to do it for RCB. He's taken a little bit of a backseat and delegated," 

 

Middle-order support changing Kohli's game

 

The former Indian batter also explained how RCB's potent middle order has actually enabled Kohli to play with a lot more freedom. Previously the RCB's premier batter often found himself playing the sheet-anchor role mostly carrying the team alongside AB de Villiers.

 

Manjrekar clarified:

 

"Earlier, when AB de Villiers and Virat were the two big batters (at RCB) by accident or by design Virat would consume a lot of balls per innings"

 

He added:

 

"Now, at RCB, people like a Devdutt Padikkal, a Rajat Patidar, a Tim David a lot of useful contributions are coming from down the order, because they're getting the opportunity to come in and spend some time in the middle." 

 

The numbers strongly suggest that the belief has been justified. Rajat Patidar has scored 238 runs in 7 matches for the RCB so far this season while Devdutt Padikkal has piled on 208 runs and Tim David has made 183 runs at an average of 91.50.

 

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RCB looking strong after title win

 

In fact, overall, the performance of the Bangalore franchise seems to have picked up after their championship-winning 2025 season. With five wins from seven games they are sitting pretty in second place on the points table and in a very good position to make it into the playoffs once again.

 

The former Mumbai cricketer opined that Kohli's changed mindset is a huge factor behind the same.

 

He concluded:

 

"I'd like to believe that RCB won the title and are looking really good this season because someone like Virat, who bats at the top of the order is just not putting as huge a price on his wicket and has started trusting the batters to come a little more."

 

With Kohli leading from the front in the batting charts and the middle order contributing significantly RCB is a very balanced team on paper and if they manage to maintain their consistency this season, the chances are high that they would once again contend for the title.