Former Team India batsman Manoj Tiwari shared his thoughts on Virat Kohli ahead of the IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The cricketer turned commentator said that Kohli could be under pressure due to limited match practice in recent months.
Kohli played only three competitive matches ahead of the IPL 2026 season. He featured in limited overs games during the home series against New Zealand in January. The right-handed batsman traveled to England to prepare for the tournament before joining the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp.
There will be at least some pressure – Manoj Tiwari on Virat Kohli
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Manoj Tiwari said that limited match practice puts initial pressure on Virat Kohli. He said that Kohli constantly proves his importance to the team and the RCB dugout believes whenever he bats.
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Speaking on Cricbuzz, Tiwary said, “There will be at least a little pressure because he has not played much. But he always brings proof of why he is Virat Kohli. As long as he is at the crease, there is always belief in the dugout.”
He said, “Along with him, the way Devdutt Padikkal has also started this season, the way he (Padikkal) reduced the pressure in the last match, it made a big difference.”
Kohli dismissed concerns of an early rust in the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He scored unbeaten 69 runs on 38 balls. Devdutt Padikkal supported him well as the defending champions chased down the target of 202 in just 15 overs.
Virat Kohli’s record against Chennai Super Kings in IPL
Virat Kohli’s record against Chennai Super Kings is good. He has scored 1,146 runs in 35 innings at an average of 38 and strike rate of 127.
Kohli is the highest run scorer in the history of the tournament. He has scored 8,730 runs in 260 innings at a strike rate of 133, which includes eight centuries and 64 half-centuries.
Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Chennai Super Kings twice during the 2025 season. They won by 50 runs in Chennai, where fast bowler Josh Hazlewood took three wickets. RCB also won their home match by two runs while defending the total of 214.
There was a lack of activity under the captaincy of Rituraj Gaikwad – Manoj Tiwari
Chennai Super Kings are at the bottom of the points table after two opening defeats. They lost the matches against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is facing investigation after losing six consecutive matches.
Manoj Tiwari said that Gaikwad lacks activism. He said that the CSK captain should have used alternative bowling options when his frontline bowlers gave away runs at the Chepauk Stadium.
“The issue is not about the playing XI. In the last match I felt they could have used Prashant Veer or Shivam Dubey with the ball. When you see that your frontline regular bowlers are giving runs, they could have considered that route or option. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy lacked proactivity, and there are many other issues too, no doubt about that.”
CSK used only five bowlers while defending the target of 210 runs against Punjab Kings. The economy rate of three of these bowlers was above 11. Gaikwad did not give the ball to Prashant Veer or Shivam Dubey, which gave the opposition a chance to chase the target with eight balls remaining.
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