Virat Kohli has begun IPL 2026 in impressive fashion, showing strong intent and confidence at the crease for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His aggressive mindset in the powerplay and willingness to take calculated risks has made him one of the standout performers early in the season. As RCB prepares for their upcoming match, all eyes are on Kohli’s face-off with Rajasthan Royals pacer Sandeep Sharma.
Over the years, Sandeep Sharma has quietly built a strong record against Kohli, dismissing him seven times in IPL history. Despite this, Kohli has managed to score freely against him, accumulating over 130 runs at a high strike rate, indicating his fearless approach in tackling the bowler.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently analyzed this intriguing battle and highlighted the contrast between Sandeep’s success against Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While Sandeep has also troubled Rohit consistently, the Mumbai Indians skipper has struggled to accelerate, maintaining a relatively lower strike rate against the pacer.
Pathan pointed out that Kohli’s recent performances show a clear shift in momentum. Unlike Rohit, Kohli has been more proactive, often stepping out and putting pressure on the bowler early in the over. This attacking intent has helped him maintain a significantly higher strike rate in recent encounters.
Another key observation made by Pathan is Sandeep Sharma’s evolving bowling approach. The pacer appears to rely more on variations rather than outright aggression, often starting his spells with slower deliveries. This predictable pattern could be a disadvantage against a batter like Kohli, who is known for his sharp game awareness and preparation.
The upcoming contest could turn into a tactical battle, with both players expected to adjust their strategies. Kohli may look to dominate from the first ball, while Sandeep might experiment with fuller lengths swing deliveries or field changes to regain control.
Pathan also suggested that Sandeep might need to rethink his usual approach, possibly avoiding predictable slower balls and focusing on different variations to challenge Kohli effectively. However, given Kohli’s current form and confidence, the RCB star appears well-equipped to handle the challenge.
With both players bringing experience and strategy into play, this match-up promises to be one of the most exciting duels in IPL 2026, potentially influencing the outcome of the game.
