Virat Kohli ended his four-year wait for a century in the IPL, which helped the Royal Challengers survive the playoff battle against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, despite his IPL success, Kohli’s mind is already focused on the upcoming World Test Championship final. He has begun preparing for Test cricket even while playing T20 matches.
In his match against Hyderabad, Kohli hit 12 fours and four sixes, displaying his mastery of cricket shots. His approach was driven by the importance of the Test Championship final. “I’m not someone who likes to play too many modern shots,” Kohli explained after being awarded the Man of the Match. “Once the IPL is over, the World Test Championship takes priority, so I need to maintain the right technique.”
Kohli also shared his mindset during the chase against Hyderabad. He acknowledged Hyderabad’s strong batting performance and the challenging pitch conditions. To counter this, Kohli planned to attack right from the beginning, and his strategy paid off.
Despite not scoring runs in his recent matches, Kohli didn’t let it affect him. He had been batting well in the nets and was confident in his ability to regain his form. External criticism didn’t bother him either. “Even though I didn’t score in the previous matches, my net sessions were productive. I don’t dwell on past records and try not to pay attention to what people say outside. My focus is on performing well for my team and winning together,” Kohli emphasized.
In terms of IPL runs, Kohli leads the charts along with Faf du Plessis. Kohli playfully revealed the secret behind their success, saying, “Both of us have tattoos, so maybe that’s why we connect so well (laughs). Jokes aside, Faf is an outstanding batsman with a wealth of experience. It’s a pleasure to bat alongside him.”