Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has pointed out a connection between Virat Kohli’s change in batting approach in the 2026 IPL season and Royal Challengers Bangalore’s improved performance. Kohli, known for his anchor role in T20 cricket, faced criticism for his lower strike rates in previous seasons. However, he significantly improved his strike rate in 2024 and has continued to excel in 2026, currently at 162.50. Manjrekar believes Kohli’s shift to a more aggressive approach is more mental than technical, allowing him to trust his teammates and play with more freedom at the top. This change has transformed RCB into a stronger batting unit. Manjrekar also suggested that the criticism over his strike rates in the past seasons may have influenced Kohli’s decision to bat quicker this season. Kohli’s performance in IPL 2026, with 351 runs, positions him as a top contender for the Orange Cap.
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