Former India batter Aakash Chopra has taken a close look at Virat Kohli’s batting in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians, even though the defending champions still came out on top at Wankhede on April 12. RCB beat MI by 18 runs, with Kohli contributing a half-century as Bengaluru posted a huge 241-run total. Mumbai, despite Hardik Pandya’s efforts, were restricted to 222/5 in reply.
Chopra’s main concern was not the outcome, but the tempo and intent of Kohli’s innings in a chase-like setting where the match called for acceleration. He argued that while the knock ultimately sat within a winning effort, it still looked slow through a cricketing lens. In his assessment, the kind of strike-rate shown by Kohli did not fit the demands of a high-scoring contest.
Quick facts
- Match: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (IPL 2026)
- Date and venue: April 12, in Mumbai
- Result: RCB won by 18 runs
- RCB innings: 241 runs (Kohli made 50 off 38)
- MI innings: 222/5 (Hardik Pandya’s side fell short)
Chopra said that Kohli’s scoring rate appeared subdued for the context of the game. He emphasised that a win can mask individual pacing, but the innings still raised questions about approach. “Virat Kohli actually scored very slow runs,” Chopra noted, adding that the knock felt inappropriate for the style expected in this kind of fixture.
He then pointed to what he saw as signs of distraction during the innings. Chopra claimed Kohli appeared unsettled and even burned two reviews on wide deliveries, which, in his view, hinted at a mindset issue. He also mentioned Kohli’s fitness, suggesting the batter may have been carrying an injury, pointing to the fact that he did not appear to field in the way Chopra expected.
“He was trying, but it just did not come off,” Chopra said, highlighting that the two wasted reviews on wide balls stood out. He added that Kohli looked injured as well, and suggested that could explain both the slower knock and the absence from the field. In Chopra’s assessment, the innings reflected more than just form—it reflected a lack of sharpness at critical moments.
Salt’s assault sets the tone
While Kohli’s rhythm was questioned, Chopra had no reservations about the impact made at the top of the RCB innings by Phil Salt. The England batter delivered a match-shaping knock of 78 off 36 balls, striking six fours and six sixes. Chopra linked Salt’s power to the momentum RCB needed early, particularly because Bengaluru were building toward a massive total.
Chopra also highlighted that the opening stand turned into a platform, with RCB’s partnership crossing the 100-run mark to put immediate pressure on MI. He praised Salt’s ability to keep accelerating once he gets going, saying that when the batter starts hitting, he does not stop. “Phil Salt’s batting was top-class because a good start was necessary,” Chopra observed.
In the same breath, Chopra brought up an exchange that reflected Salt’s mindset and readiness. He said he had been discussing whether Jacob Bethell could be utilised, and Salt’s response was confident—setting the tone for a batter who was clearly ready to dominate from the outset.
Patidar’s acceleration turns heads
Chopra also saved special praise for RCB captain Rajat Patidar, who continued a blistering run of form. In the same match, Patidar struck 53 off just 20 deliveries, adding to the momentum RCB carried after the foundation laid by Salt. Chopra underlined the speed of Patidar’s hitting this season and the sheer scale of his power output in a short span.
He compared Patidar’s previous output to what he was already producing in the early stage of the tournament. Chopra noted that Patidar had struck 14 sixes across the entire last year, a total he described as excellent given that it helped the team win. But he said Patidar had already moved to 18 sixes, and that even more strikingly, he had smashed 10 sixes in his first 10 balls faced.
Chopra stressed how dramatic that acceleration looked, pointing out that only four innings had been played, yet Patidar had already reached that six-hitting pace within the first over of his batting. He called it “monstrous” and suggested the batter’s ability to explode early was a defining feature of his game right now.
Hardik’s spin call questioned
On the bowling side, Chopra turned critical of Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya’s tactical decision involving spin against Patidar. He questioned why MI would opt for that match-up, arguing it played directly into Patidar’s strengths. In Chopra’s view, Patidar had been targeting both pace and spin with the same confidence.
Chopra said that he couldn’t understand the logic behind the plan, suggesting that the batter was hitting immediately rather than waiting for a particular ball type. He also referenced Patidar’s record of going after bowlers who tried to slow things down, and said Patidar’s recent form indicated that spin was not a solution—especially when the batter was already in rhythm.
He added that the strategy felt like a “lamb to the slaughterhouse,” and cited previous moments such as Patidar smashing three sixes against Mayank Markande. Chopra also referenced the captaincy aspect, saying Patidar was captaining well and batting very well, and suggested that at some stage he would make his return to the Indian team.
Despite Chopra’s pointed remarks about Kohli’s pace and the tactical choices discussed around Patidar, the match still belonged to RCB overall. Salt’s explosive start and Patidar’s rapid hitting ensured Bengaluru’s total remained out of reach, and the defending champions’ bowling kept MI pinned, sealing an important win by 18 runs.
