Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth praised Virat Kohli for taking the attack against Gujarat Titans’ pack leader Kagiso Rabada in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday. Chasing a below-par score of 156 runs, RCB openers – Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli – wanted to kill the game in the Powerplay overs.

Kohli smashed Rabada for three fours and a six in his second over of the innings, taking 19 runs of the over. Earlier, Iyer took Rabada for 18 runs in his first over of the innings. The South African seamer eventually conceded 44 runs in three overs he bowled and could only take a solitary wicket.

Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “He intentionally took on Rabada and that shook GT. There were all these buildups on Rabada vs Kohli and Kohli almost wanted to prove Rabada was no match for him. Kohli played with a point to prove that there is no matchup for him.”

“His presence removes the players in the side from any worries. He effortlessly chased the target down while also playing courageously. He and Venkatesh Iyer clearly wanted to dominate the powerplay against Siraj and Rabada, and they finished the match there itself.”

Kohli went on to score an unbeaten knock of 75 runs off just 42 balls and was awarded Player of the Match.

The 1983 World Cup-winning player said the entire team gets lifted when a player like Virat Kohli gives his heart and soul to the side.

“He retired from T20Is in 2024. For him to win two IPL trophies after that and score 600 runs year on year, it speaks to his passion, aggression, and commitment to the game. His determination to succeed for his team is amazing. When a player gives his heart and soul like Kohli, the entire team gets lifted,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

Kohli scored a total of 675 runs in 16 matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84.