In IPL 2026, Virat Kohli’s changed style is clearly visible to fans. Where earlier he was known for his restrained batting, now aggression and speed are being seen in his game. After Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory, Ravichandran Ashwin revealed the reason behind this change.
Batting style changed after Test retirement
Ashwin revealed during a conversation on Geostar that until 2024, when Virat Kohli was playing Test cricket, his game was quite balanced and controlled. He played shots thoughtfully and his footwork was also quite stable.
But by 2026, his style has completely changed. Now Kohli looks more aggressive and is openly using his hands to play shots, which has also rapidly increased his strike rate.
According to Ashwin, earlier Kohli’s bat movement was limited, but now he first keeps the bat down and then brings it up, which gives him more power and better position. This change is making his game even more dangerous.
New confidence seen in ‘no-look six’
In the match against Chennai Super Kings, Virat Kohli scored 28 runs off 18 balls, giving the team a brisk start. The magnificent ‘no-look six’ hit by him during this period shows a glimpse of his changed confidence and new style.
Former cricketer Irfan Pathan also explained the reason behind Kohli’s improved strike rate. According to him, there has been a change in Kohli’s backlift, which is giving him more power and better timing in his shots. Earlier, he used to bat very steadily, but now the technique of bringing the bat down and then up is giving him extra momentum.
Kohli’s new form indicates that after retiring from Test cricket, he has adapted himself to T20s. This is why he has emerged as an even more dangerous batsman in IPL 2026. Now his next match will be against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on April 10, where fans are once again awaiting his aggressive style.A
