Former Royal Challengers Bangalore batting legend AB de Villiers has strongly endorsed Virat Kohli as a pivotal figure within the franchise, asserting that his significance extends far beyond mere run-scoring and continues to profoundly shape the team's dynamics. RCB is set to launch their IPL 2026 season on March 28 with a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, following their historic first championship victory last year.
Virat Kohli: The Heartbeat of RCB
In an exclusive interview with JioHotstar, cited by news agency IANS, de Villiers elaborated on Kohli's indispensable role. "Virat definitely is still the heartbeat of the franchise," de Villiers stated. "Not only through his performances and the remarkable consistency he has demonstrated with the bat over many years, but also through his immense presence and the infectious energy he injects into the squad. The manner in which he conducts himself both on and off the field, always fighting relentlessly for the team, truly stands out. He brings that vital energy and instills belief in the younger players, making them confident that they can ultimately go on and win the trophy, which RCB successfully accomplished last season."
Team Effort Over Individual Brilliance
De Villiers highlighted that the key difference in RCB's triumphant campaign last season was the collective contribution from multiple players, rather than reliance on a select few. "What I particularly appreciated about last season was that, yes, Virat was one of the primary run-scorers in the team, as openers typically are, but there were numerous other players who stepped up significantly. In previous seasons, RCB were often criticized for depending too heavily on just two, three, or four players to perform consistently. This time, however, I genuinely felt the entire team chipped in effectively," he explained.
Example from the IPL 2025 Final
Referring specifically to the IPL 2025 final, where RCB secured their maiden title, de Villiers pointed to the crucial roles played by other batsmen in the lineup. "The final serves as an excellent example, with Virat scoring a solid 43 runs off 35 balls. But it was actually Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd who accelerated the scoring with high strike rates, enabling the team to post a formidable total of over 190 runs, which ultimately led to victory. Additionally, Krunal Pandya made valuable contributions with the ball, showcasing the team's balanced effort."
Enhanced Support Around Kohli
De Villiers emphasized that RCB now boasts a stronger support system around Kohli, alleviating the pressure on him. "That's precisely my point—players contributing consistently throughout the season, and the bowling attack stepping up when needed. Virat can undoubtedly feel that; he can sense that he is no longer the sole individual carrying the burden. He is surrounded by a squad of determined fighters, all united in their goal to win the trophy. I believe they are in an exceptionally good position. It's largely the same squad, so they didn't need to make drastic changes, and they have every reason to believe they can go all the way again in the upcoming season," he concluded optimistically.
