Virat Kohli has broken his silence on his recent batting slump in IPL 2026, opening up about the immense psychological pressure that comes with a rare dip in form. [1]
The 37-year-old Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legend roared back to form with an unbeaten 105 off 60 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Raipur, driving his team to the top of the points table. After picking up the Player of the Match award, Kohli admitted to the broadcaster that registering consecutive ducks in his previous two games had left him feeling genuinely vulnerable and anxious. [1, 2, 3]
Driven by High Standards
“The fact that I didn’t get many runs in the last two games was, it eats me up in a way that I know I can play well and I’m hitting the ball well,” Kohli confessed during the post-match presentation. [1]
For a player defined by consistency and high-impact performances, failing to contribute to the scorecard left him battling heavy internal pressure. He noted that when a batsman fails to build an innings and create a tangible impact for the team, it immediately begins to bother them, as winning matches has been his singular goal for over a decade. [1, 2]
Embracing the Nerves
Despite making light of his twin failures in the RCB dressing room earlier in the week, Kohli admitted that facing the prospect of a third consecutive failure created genuine butterflies in his stomach. Rather than letting the anxiety paralyze his technique, the batting maestro used the unease as fuel to ramp up his practice sessions. [1, 2]
- The Reality Check: Kohli acknowledged that when things are going smoothly, it is easy to let batting intensity and focus slightly taper off.
- Pressure as a Tool: He explained that a couple of bad games force a player back into a state of nervousness, which acts as a powerful reality check to prevent taking anything for granted. [1]
The Expiry Date Perspective
The record-extending ninth IPL hundred was notable for its unusually quiet celebration. Kohli barely acknowledged the milestone, refusing to even remove his helmet as he remained focused purely on wrapping up the run chase. [1, 2]
Beyond the immediate requirements of the match, Kohli offered a poignant reflection on his career longevity. He emphasized that his continued drive is born entirely out of pure love for the game and the tactile joy of hitting the ball cleanly. Knowing that his playing days will inevitably finish one day, he explained that he now proactively looks forward to high-heat, high-pressure scenarios, treating them as a privilege to test his own character and build personal growth. [, 2, 3, 4]
If you want to track more about RCB’s current campaign, let me know if you would like information on:
- RCB’s remaining league fixtures and their qualification scenarios for a top-two spot.
- The latest standings in the Orange Cap race following Kohli’s ninth century.
- Injury and fitness updates regarding the RCB squad heading into the knockouts. [1, 2]
10 sites
- Virat Kohli Reveals Reason Behind Refusal To Take Off His …14 May 2026 — After registering consecutive ducks in his previous two IPL 2026 outings, many expected an emotional celebration to mark the comeb…
News18
- Virat Kohli cracks hilarious joke at himself after 2 ducks in a row14 May 2026 — Virat Kohli cracks hilarious joke at himself after 2 ducks in a row: “Thanks for giving me a chance” NDTV Sports. Virat Kohli crac…
MSN
- IPL 2026: Not getting runs eats me up, was nervous after successive ducks, says Virat Kohli14 May 2026 — It was a record-extending ninth IPL hundred for Kohli as he went past Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to become the player w…
