As Royal Challengers Bengaluru gear up for the IPL 2026 final against the Gujarat Titans, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin commends Virat Kohli’s tactical prowess in reading and countering opposition strategies, which could be pivotal in the title match. Kohli’s contribution has been instrumental in RCB’s journey to the final, offering stability at the top order and allowing the aggressive middle order to play freely. Ashwin lauds Kohli’s game awareness, especially in his battle with Gujarat’s bowling spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada.
Ashwin highlighted Gujarat’s strategy of targeting Kohli with wide deliveries to push him into uncomfortable scoring zones. He noted that Kohli effectively countered this tactic in Ahmedabad, showcasing his adaptability. According to Ashwin, Kohli’s presence is crucial for RCB’s batting strategy as it enables other players to take high-risk shots, a style that has characterized the team’s campaign.
In addition to Kohli, Ashwin emphasized RCB captain Rajat Patidar’s proficiency against spin bowling, labeling him as a potent spin-hitter in the league. Ashwin suggested that Gujarat might need to rely more on pace rather than spin to contain Patidar in the final, acknowledging his unique ability to attack deliveries using footwork, similar to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
