Virat Kohli has long been one of India’s biggest cricket stars, known for his consistency and passion across formats. Over the years, he dominated Test cricket as well as white-ball formats. Now, a major career decision seems to be reshaping his game in a big way.
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin believes Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket has actually helped his IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as it has significantly improved his T20 performance.
Virat Kohli announced his Test retirement on May 12, 2025, at the age of 36, ending a 14-year journey in the longest format. Although his red-ball form had dipped in the last few years, he was still an important player and could have continued longer in the format he loved.
Since stepping away from Tests, Virat Kohli has focused only on ODIs, List-A domestic matches and the IPL. According to Ashwin, this shift has brought more clarity to his batting, especially in T20 cricket. His strike rate, which used to be in the low 120s, has now jumped to the higher 150s since mid-2024.
Ashwin explained that Virat Kohli’s batting approach has become more dynamic. Earlier, his technique was more controlled and stable, suited for Test cricket. Now, his bat movement is more fluid, helping him generate better positions and play attacking shots with greater freedom.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also agreed with this view. He pointed out that Virat Kohli’s improved backlift is giving him more momentum and power, which is clearly reflected in his higher strike rate. With more movement before the shot, Virat Kohli is able to play big shots more effectively than before.
This change is also showing in results. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are currently at the top of the IPL 2026 points table, having secured back-to-back wins, with Virat Kohli playing a key role in their strong start.
