Virat Kohli has delivered a strong message to the next generation of Indian cricketers, warning them not to get carried away by the fame and financial rewards that come with the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking at the third edition of the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Kohli stressed that true greatness in cricket demands discipline, adaptability, and the hunger to succeed over the long term.
The former India captain explained how franchise cricket has transformed the landscape for young players, with instant recognition and huge contracts arriving much earlier than in previous generations. “It’s the drive. A lot of people relate drive to money nowadays,” Virat Kohli said during the summit.
The batting superstar admitted that the IPL offers players an incredible platform, but also warned that it can create a comfort zone if cricketers lose focus on long-term goals.
“When a format gives you hype, recognition, and fame by scoring 40 or 50 runs off 20 balls, along with the kind of money players make in the IPL today, it can put you in a very comfortable space,” he added. Kohli said young cricketers now face a defining career choice — whether to settle for short-format success or push themselves to build a legacy across formats for 15 to 20 years.
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“They can say this is brilliant, I don’t need to handle pressure for too long, I can just go out there and smash the ball,” Virat Kohli explained. “Or you can say, I want to play for 15-20 years. I want respect from the cricketing world, from my heroes, and I want to fulfil this opportunity.”
Having dominated international cricket for more than a decade across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, Kohli highlighted that sustaining excellence requires mental toughness and constant hard work behind the scenes.
VIRAT KOHLI SAID AT RCB INNOVATION LAB:
– “It’s the drive. A lot of people relate drive to money nowadays. Yes, it’s a big factor because when a format that gives you the hype and the recognition, the fame by scoring 40-50 off 20 balls and the kind of money that people can make… pic.twitter.com/QPDoHemgfq
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 20, 2026
“You have to be very driven to commit yourself for 10-15 years knowing it’s going to be extremely hard,” he said. Interestingly, Virat Kohli also praised the fearless style of modern-day batters and admitted the current generation is far ahead in terms of power-hitting and attacking cricket. “These guys are way more advanced in explosive batting,” he said.
However, the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper believes adaptability still separates elite batters from the rest, especially on difficult pitches or in pressure chases late in tournaments.
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“When you’re chasing 175 or 180 on a tricky wicket and lose early wickets, how do you respond?” Kohli asked. According to him, complete batters must be capable of adjusting their game to different match situations instead of relying on only one style of batting. “To switch your batting according to the situation, you should be able to play in seven or eight different ways,” he explained.
Kohli also underlined the importance of fitness, technique, and preparation in helping players unlock consistency at the highest level. The veteran batter, who continues to shine in IPL 2026, believes mental clarity and physical discipline remain the foundation of sustained success in modern cricket.
