Kohli’s one-format focus fuels strong IPL start

BENGALURU: Virat Kohli’s decision to scale back his international commitments has not dampened his appetite for runs, with the former India captain guiding ​Royal Challengers Bengaluru to victory with an unbeaten 69 in the Indian ‌Premier League opener.

The 37-year-old retired from Twenty20 Internationals after India’s 2024 World Cup triumph and brought the curtain down on his 123-test career last year, leaving one-day internationals as his sole ​format.

He featured in 13 ODIs last year, scoring 651 runs, and returned ​to the IPL after last playing for India in January.

Bengaluru ⁠captain Rajat Patidar told reporters after their six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on ​Saturday that it was a pleasure to watch Kohli at the crease.

“Virat Kohli ​is our number one chase master,” he said.

“I always enjoy watching his batting from the dugout - the way he plays, the shots he picks, and how he reads situations.

“I feel ​he’s at his peak right now. From what I’ve seen in the ​nets, the energy and eagerness to perform and dominate are still the same.”

Kohli, who struck ‌the winning ⁠runs as fans chanted his name at a packed stadium, said playing in a single format had helped him stay mentally fresh.

“The kind of scheduling that we’ve had over the last 15 years and the amount of cricket ​I’ve played, for me ​there was always ⁠a risk of getting burned out rather than being undercooked. So these breaks helped me immensely,” he added.

The win ​carried deeper resonance after last year’s maiden IPL title celebrations ​were overshadowed ⁠by a stampede outside the stadium that claimed 11 lives.

Bengaluru paid tribute by leaving 11 seats vacant, players wearing number 11 on their backs during the warm-up and ⁠black ​armbands throughout the match, before observing a minute’s ​silence ahead of the contest.

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“They were like family members because everyone was supporting RCB for years. We ​miss them,” Patidar added.