Virat Kohli is poised to embark on his 18th season in the IPL, having participated in over 250 matches for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, the 2025 IPL season may present a different scenario for Kohli, who declared his retirement from international T20 cricket following last year's World Cup triumph.

With Kohli now concentrating solely on the IPL from a T20 standpoint, some have speculated about how this change in focus might influence his performance. Nevertheless, his former teammate Piyush Chawla expressed confidence in Kohli's ability to deliver for RCB when it is most crucial.

In a conversation, Chawla remarked, "He is someone who has consistently performed for his team. The statistics speak volumes. We often discuss strike rates, and he is consistently impressive, exceeding 130 and even reaching 140."

Chawla further elaborated on Kohli's significant contribution to the team. The leg-spinner highlighted that Kohli's strike rate, considering the role he fulfils, is advantageous.

"You need at least one player who can anchor the innings. As team management, you want someone like Virat to take on that responsibility, and if he can do it at a strike rate of 130, that is exceptional. We often overlook the importance of this aspect," Chawla added.

‘He is ready to do something special…’

In his IPL career, Kohli has accumulated 8,004 runs across 252 matches, boasting a strike rate of 131. In 2024, he achieved an impressive total of 741 runs, earning the orange cap with a career-high strike rate of 154.70, surpassing even his remarkable 2016 season, during which he scored 973 runs.

Chawla expressed his support for Kohli, highlighting his mentality and dedication to the game. "For me, Virat Kohli will always give his utmost effort, stepping onto the field with 200% commitment. He puts his body on the line, embodying the character of a true athlete. He is consistently energetic and is always prepared to make a significant contribution to the team."

Nonetheless, Chawla acknowledged that Kohli's retirement from T20 internationals does not alleviate the pressure he faces, particularly as he pursues the elusive IPL trophy, which remains the only missing accolade in his collection.

"When discussing pressure, whether you are actively playing or retired from T20 cricket, you still aim to uphold your reputation and name. Therefore, Virat would not claim that there is no pressure; there is always some level of pressure, those butterflies in the stomach," Chawla concluded.

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