Virat Kohli has rarely looked out of rhythm during IPL 2026, but the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star suddenly finds himself under pressure after registering back-to-back ducks at a crucial stage of the tournament. Despite RCB remaining firmly in the playoff race, Kohli’s brief dip in form has become one of the biggest talking points of the season.
The timing of the slump has added intrigue to Bengaluru’s campaign, especially considering Kohli had been one of the franchise’s most reliable performers throughout the season. The former RCB captain has scored 379 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate above 163, but consecutive failures have sparked renewed debate around his aggressive batting approach in IPL 2026.
Amid the scrutiny surrounding Kohli’s form and animated on-field behaviour, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has strongly defended the batting icon, insisting that the intensity fans see today is not manufactured for television cameras.
Speaking on Sportstar’s Insight Edge Podcast, Sanjay Manjrekar dismissed the long-standing perception that Kohli’s fiery celebrations and aggressive reactions are exaggerated for attention. “A lot of people, even players, believe that he does it for the camera. I beg to differ,” Manjrekar said.
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According to the former India cricketer, Kohli’s passion has remained unchanged since his early days in Delhi cricket and during his Under-19 journey. Manjrekar believes the emotional edge has always been central to Kohli’s success as a batter and leader.
“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,” he added. Kohli’s high-energy personality has continued to divide opinion across the cricket world. While millions of fans admire his unmatched competitiveness and emotional involvement in every moment of the game, critics often question whether the reactions are overly dramatic.
However, Manjrekar pointed out that Kohli’s intensity has actually become even more remarkable considering his age and workload after nearly two decades at the highest level. “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 observed.
Interestingly, despite a productive campaign overall, Kohli is currently outside the top 10 run-scorers in IPL 2026 and has slipped out of the Orange Cap race after his recent failures.
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The RCB star will now look to bounce back quickly when Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Kolkata Knight Riders in a crucial encounter in Raipur on May 12. With the playoffs approaching, Bengaluru will hope their biggest batting superstar rediscovers his touch at the perfect time.
