Royal Challengers Bengaluru have reclaimed the top spot in the IPL 2026 standings and are doing so with the confidence of defending champions. After 11 matches, the franchise has secured seven wins, putting it firmly in the frame for the Playoffs. Yet even at the very top, there is a small cloud hovering over the team: Virat Kohli has hit a rough patch with two back-to-back ducks.
Kohli’s recent struggles have come against two high-profile opponents. He failed to find his way to the scoreboard in games versus Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians, leaving question marks over his form in the middle overs. Still, one element of his game that remains unmistakable is the intensity he brings—his presence in the field and the aura he projects while playing.
The debate around Kohli’s celebrations
Kohli’s ultra-aggressive approach and his animated celebrations after taking catches have long been a talking point. Certain sections of supporters view the displays as excessive, arguing that the emotion looks staged rather than genuine. While many fans continue to admire the passion, a portion of the crowd believes he is doing it for attention—essentially for the cameras.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar pushed back strongly against the criticism. He argued that he has seen Kohli’s drive and temperament evolve from his early days, noting that the same fiery personality has been present since the Under-19 stage.
Manjrekar said that people—including some players—often assume Kohli’s reactions are motivated by the spotlight. However, he insisted his own observations tell a different story, explaining that Kohli played with the same intensity even at Under-19 level and that emotion has frequently translated into better performance.
“A lot of people, even players, believe that he does it for the camera. I beg to differ, because this is a guy I’ve seen even at the Under-19 level. This is how he plays the game, and that is what has driven him, even as a batter. When he gets angry with the opposition, he just plays better. I thought, at this age, he would calm down a little bit. But I’m seeing him take catches, pull off run-outs, and just have too much energy,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Insight Edge Podcast.
He also added that Kohli appears to be sensitive to criticism, suggesting that negative reactions could, in fact, fuel him further. Manjrekar suggested that if Kohli internalises that kind of negativity, it may act as motivation to deliver a big score next.
“He’s one of those first guys who kept saying, you know, we don’t care about what people say… so he’s also very sensitive [to criticism]. Maybe it’s a good thing as well that if he hears that kind of criticism or something negative, that will just spur him on to get that next big hundred,” he added.
Kohli’s season output
Despite the recent ducks, Kohli’s overall returns this season remain strong. He has amassed 379 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 163.36, including three half-centuries.
