Virat Kohli’s IPL 2026 form has been marked not just by steady run-making, but also by a noticeably quicker tempo at the crease. Through eight innings, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter has amassed 351 runs while striking at 162.50, a rate that signals a clear shift from how he has typically paced his innings in the league.
Kohli’s rising strike rate in IPL 2026
Looking across Kohli’s previous IPL campaigns, his strike rate has generally stayed below the 160 mark. Only twice has it climbed above 150—first in 2016 and then again in 2024—making the current season’s leap stand out even more.
- In IPL 2026, Kohli has scored 351 runs in eight innings.
- His strike rate in those innings is 162.50.
- In earlier IPL seasons, his strike rate has rarely gone beyond 160.
- His strike rate crossed 150 only in 2016 and 2024.
Manjrekar explains the possible reason behind the change
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Kohli’s improvement in strike rate could be linked to the scrutiny and criticism he has received. He suggested that the shift is not about altering Kohli’s identity as a hitter, but about him choosing to play faster in response to external pressure.
Manjrekar said the new approach may “rile up” Kohli’s fans because the batting looks different from what supporters are used to seeing, even though he is still batting at a high level. He added that Kohli appears to have decided to accelerate his scoring after noticing the pressure building around his pace of batting.
- Manjrekar said Kohli’s altered strike rate is likely a response to criticism.
- He noted Kohli has been batting superbly this season at a strike rate in the 140–150 range.
- He argued that despite the faster tempo, “this is the same Virat Kohli.”
- He suggested Kohli chose to bat quicker after observing commentary about him taking too long.
Freedom at the top, and why others benefited
Manjrekar also pointed to the wider impact within the RCB batting unit. He described how Kohli has played with more freedom in recent times, and said that when the captain-at-the-top role stopped making him the constant focal point, the rest of the lineup began to flourish as well.
Manjrekar compared the current rhythm with the way Kohli batted a few years earlier—when the strike rate was reportedly in the 125–130 range—and explained that the earlier style often involved hitting a boundary and then taking singles or twos, with an emphasis on extending the innings. He tied that older mindset to Kohli’s belief that he had to bat for most of the overs and that he did not fully trust the batters lower down to carry the load.
He then said RCB’s batting changed when Kohli started moving quicker at the top and stopped positioning himself as indispensable, allowing other players to grow in confidence and output.
- Manjrekar said Kohli’s strike rate was around 125–130 three or four years ago.
- He described an earlier pattern: boundary, followed by singles or twos.
- He said Kohli previously aimed to extend his innings and believed he had to bat through most of the spell.
- He added that Kohli’s faster approach at the top changed RCB’s batting balance.
- Manjrekar stated that once Kohli wasn’t making himself “indispensable,” other RCB batters also blossomed.
Kohli’s academy visit in Delhi: message to students
Outside the IPL storyline, Kohli also made time for an event in Delhi on Tuesday. He delivered an address to students during the inauguration of a cricket academy at Delhi Public School in RK Puram, stressing the importance of clarity, truthfulness, and commitment when pursuing personal goals. He urged young participants to remain loyal to their dreams and to back them with consistent effort.
During the same day’s programme, Kohli—along with childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma and DDCA president Rohan Jaitley—opened a West Delhi Cricket Academy Branch. While speaking to the students, the batter shared elements of his own journey and admitted that returning to a school setting felt unfamiliar at first, but said he could connect because he had once been in their place.
In his talk, Kohli explained that he understands the school environment intimately because he has been through the same stages the students are experiencing right now. He also reflected on how his priorities shifted early in life once cricket took centre stage, and he framed a school as a place where students learn, grow, and become better versions of themselves.
- Kohli addressed students during the inauguration of a cricket academy at Delhi Public School, RK Puram, on Tuesday.
- He emphasized clarity, honesty, and dedication in chasing ambitions.
- He urged students to stay true to their dreams and support them with unwavering commitment.
- He inaugurated the West Delhi Cricket Academy Branch with Rajkumar Sharma and DDCA president Rohan Jaitley.
Kohli’s message included the personal note that he is “not used to speaking in schools,” explaining that he moved away from the school setup long ago for cricket. He added that he can still relate to the students because he experienced the same process and stages earlier in his life, and he spoke about how his focus and priorities changed early on. He concluded by saying that a school is where children come to learn, grow, and develop into better people.
