NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Kohli’s transition to playing fewer formats might impact his T20 rhythm, especially after breaks.“This time, things will be a little different for Kohli. For the first time, he will play the IPL having completely retired from Test cricket. He is playing only one format. It is not easy for anyone,” Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“But he has scored, and his performance has been brilliant. Even when he comes after a break, it has not been difficult for him in one-day cricket.”Virat Kohli has joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2026, but this season could be slightly different for him. With Kohli now retired from Test cricket and only playing limited formats, expectations are high, but experts feel the shift could bring new challenges in T20 cricket.“In T20S, when you play the aggressor and come in not having played a lot, it will be challenging. But he has faced many challenges before as well. I am very excited to see how he will go forward this season,” he added.Pathan also highlighted how Kohli’s change in batting style last season played a big role in RCB’s success. Instead of anchoring the innings, Kohli took a more attacking role, which helped the team win the title.“Virat Kohli and RCB is an identity that goes together. He started with RCB and is still playing for them. He has delivered brilliant performances. It was also a golden period in his career when he captained the team; there were a lot of brilliant performances,” he noted.“When they won last season, his strike rate also went up. He did not play anchor but took the role of an aggressor. It was a very big factor. They will expect even this time that he keeps up the same form.”
