Bengaluru, March 29. Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed high praise for Virat Kohli, noting that despite his retirement from Test and One Day International cricket, the veteran batter continues to demonstrate unmatched energy and passion on the field. Kohli recently led defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket victory in the opening match of IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad by scoring an unbeaten 69 runs off just 38 deliveries. This performance marked his first appearance in the T20 format since winning the IPL final on June 3 of the previous year.
Speaking on a sports show, Ashwin remarked that Kohli consistently delivers on his promises and serves as an example of how the game should be played with intensity. As per agency report, Kohli entered the tournament in excellent form, having scored 93, 23, and 124 runs in the ODI series against New Zealand in January, following a prolific series against South Africa in December where he amassed 302 runs, including two centuries. Ashwin highlighted that Kohli's commitment to the sport remains as strong as ever, regardless of his transition away from other formats of the game.
The veteran spinner specifically pointed out Kohli's exceptional running between the wickets as a testament to his fitness and drive. Ashwin observed a moment during the match where Kohli, while batting in the 40s during a partnership, completed a single and was immediately looking for a second run before his partner had even reached the halfway mark. Even with a relatively short 57-meter boundary on the leg side, Kohli's focus on maximizing every scoring opportunity showcased the immense enthusiasm he still brings to the game despite his extensive experience and age.
