Virat Kohli, after retiring from Twenty20 Internationals following India’s 2024 World Cup victory and ending his 123-test career last year, has returned to cricket with a bang in the Indian Premier League (IPL) opener.
He scored an unbeaten 69 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, guiding them to victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. His captain, Rajat Patidar, praised Kohli’s batting prowess and mental readiness, noting his peak performance.
Kohli attributed his fresh energy to focusing on a single cricket format, which he believes prevents burnout. The win was particularly poignant as it came just months after the tragic stampede at last year’s IPL final, where 11 lives were lost. Bengaluru honored these victims by leaving seats empty and wearing number 11 during warm-ups.
Kohli expressed gratitude for the breaks in his schedule over the past decade, stating they have been crucial in maintaining his performance level.