Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn commended Virat Kohli’s development as a batter in the Indian Premier League (IPL), highlighting his increased ability to hit sixes over the past two seasons. Kohli’s impressive performance at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he scored an unbeaten 69 to help RCB in their title defense, left spectators in awe.
Steyn noted that players like Kohli, at his current level, often seek to enhance their game by small margins, a path Kohli has consistently pursued each IPL season. One notable improvement has been Kohli’s six-hitting prowess, which has notably grown in recent years. Steyn praised Kohli’s adaptability and mindset shift post-retirement from Test cricket, enabling him to execute aerial shots with confidence.
CricViz data reveals Kohli’s escalating attacking intent during IPL powerplays. His attacking shot percentage surged from 31.5% in 2020 to 66.3% in 2025, showcasing his evolving aggressive approach. Devdutt Padikkal, an RCB top-order batsman, credited Kohli’s leadership for easing pressure during matches and allowing him to play more freely.
Padikkal acknowledged the pivotal roles of RCB head coach Andy Flower and batting coach Dinesh Karthik in refining his aggressive T20 batting style. He attributed his game’s evolution and improvement to the diligent efforts of Flower and Karthik, emphasizing the mental and technical adjustments required to excel in modern T20 cricket.
