Virat Kohli, one of the sharpest minds and most intense competitors in modern cricket, recently spoke about his batting philosophy, revealing the ethos that has defined his career, ego aside and to the requirements of the game. Discussing a memorable Champions Trophy match, Kohli referred to his partnership with Shreyas Iyer as a prime example of going along with the match situation instead of seeking personal triumph.
“In that match of the Champions Trophy, if Shreyas was in form, I kept giving him the freedom. That was not ego-driven then or now,” Kohli said in an interview on JioHotstar. “If I am in the flow, I take the lead. But I have always felt that it is all about reading the game. It is never about dominating a partner or questioning my own talent. It’s playing wisely, reading the situation, and doing what the team requires. It’s that simplicity,” Kohli further said, which has been a foundation of his batting approach since he was young.
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Kohli, who recently became the first Indian to have more than 13,000 runs in T20 cricket, keeps adapting in the ever-demanding world of limited-overs cricket. With a sparkling IPL career that started in 2008, he is still the league’s leading run-getter and one of its most consistent performers.
Talking about the test of character of IPL cricket, Kohli pointed out how the format of the tournament challenges a player’s temperament and flexibility in ways other forms usually don’t. “IPL is different. It’s not a short series—it goes on for weeks. The table keeps changing, and there’s new pressure every game,” he said.
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“When you are on top of the table, there is pressure to stay there. If you are down, you require the hunger to turn around. And if you are in the middle, even one loss can swing the balance,” he said. In Kohli’s view, it’s this rollercoaster of momentum that keeps the players alert and challenges them to constantly improve.
It’s no wonder that Kohli flourishes in such circumstances—reading the game, soaking up pressure, and delivering when it counts most.
