Dinesh Karthik lauded Virat Kohli’s relentless drive to reinvent himself, revealing how the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star continues to evolve in the Indian Premier League 2026 season.
Speaking after RCB’s match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday (April 26), Karthik admitted he was amused that the media avoided questions about Kohli—until the very end. But once the topic came up, the former India wicketkeeper found a fresh perspective to praise the batting icon.
Kohli has been in stellar form this season, scoring 328 runs in seven matches at an average of 54.67 and an impressive strike rate of 163.18—his best-ever strike rate at this stage of an IPL campaign. Karthik credited this surge to Kohli’s “stubborn” mindset and his commitment to constant self-improvement.
“The fact is that he goes back every year and assesses what he has done,” Karthik said. “He comes back with a very clear, almost stubborn plan about how he wants to play—and he executes it, not just in matches but in the way he prepares.”
Karthik highlighted how Kohli’s work ethic extends beyond matchdays, with meticulous practice routines and constant self-evaluation forming the backbone of his success.
He also pointed out the impact Kohli has on younger players in the RCB setup, who closely observe his preparation and discipline. According to Karthik, even without game time, emerging talents gain invaluable insights simply by watching Kohli train.
“For young players, it’s a huge learning experience,” he added. “They see how seriously he takes practice and how he keeps adapting.”
Karthik further admitted that even experienced players and coaches have lessons to take from Kohli’s approach, especially in an era where younger batters are pushing scoring rates to new heights.
“To keep up with the pace of modern cricket and still produce match-winning performances—it’s remarkable,” Karthik said. “The way he reinvents himself every year is something everyone can learn from.”
