Virat Kohli is a legendary player of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and he recently guided RCB to their second successive IPL title win. From the beginning to now, he has played for RCB only. In an exclusive interview with NDTV’s Consulting Editor Boria Majumdar, RCB batter Venkatesh Iyer opened up on how Kohli sealed the deal.
“He does not want to see his team down. That kind of lifts the entire team. If you are sharing the field with Virat, you cannot keep your shoulders down. You cannot just stroll or jog to your positions. You cannot do that because this guy, after achieving so much and being regarded as one of the legends of the game, still shows so much intensity and hunger. Who are you to take it lightly and be casual?” Iyer said.
In the final against GT, while chasing the 156-run target, RCB were at 62/0 in 4.2 overs with Kohli and Iyer (32 off 16 balls) in the middle. Then a small collapse happened. From 62/0, they slipped to 63/2 in 5.1 overs. But Kohli stood strong.
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“It’s the belief in the skill that he has. Obviously, that comes from years and years of working hard and understanding the game. Whatever situation we want to be in, that person has already seen and understood it,” Iyer said. “We were calm throughout, even after losing a couple of quick wickets, because we knew Virat was there. His presence itself gives confidence to the team. That’s what he has earned over the years – to show what presence is, what aura is. If he is on the field, there is already a mental battle the opposition has to play.”
“It’s a method. It’s not something that just comes naturally to him or to Indian cricket. There is a method to his practice. There is a method to the way he approaches the game – high energy all the time,” he added again.
Iyer, who has played for Kolkata Knight Riders for quite a long time and was once among the costliest players in IPL history, said Virat Kohli’s tactical nuances are something worth learning from as well.
“Day in and day out, it’s inspirational for everyone who is watching and wants to learn something new. It’s the little things, the tactical nuances of the game. It’s not just about hitting; it’s about understanding what the bowlers are going to come up with,” he said. “Every time I look at him, the only message is: ‘Be clear in what you want to do, even if it’s defence. If you are clear about what you want to do, that’s half the job done.'”
