Kohli shared his thoughts on women’s cricket during a recent episode of RCB podcast.
Kohli shared his thoughts on women’s cricket, leadership, and the feelings of lifting maiden IPL title during a recent episode of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) podcast.
“There is no doubt that Smriti has always had this very unique talent. She is a very gifted and natural timer of the ball, which is amazing to watch. It was amazing to watch her perform like that in the final," Kohli said.
“I was proud of Jemmy because of what she had gone through in the tournament. It felt like a meant-to-be moment for her. She looked completely zoned out, in her own world, just watching the ball. It did not feel like she was bothered about the record chase, the world champions or the strongest team out there. It showed amazing mental strength and resilience," he added.
Virat Kohli is leading the run-charts for RCB in the IPL 2026, having amassed 484 runs at a brilliant average of 53.78 and a strike rate of 167.75 with one century and three fifties.
However, Kohli spoke about how his motivation has now moved past numbers and personal milestones.
“I am in a phase of my life and career where I am just doing things which are purposeful. Even playing cricket, you get to a stage which goes beyond numbers and achievements," he said.
Kohli further stated that he used to view trophies purely as individual accolades and career targets. With time, he realized the true value of sport lies in the deep, collective emotional journey it provides.
“I started off thinking of trophies as accolades and achievements. But at the end of the day, why do people get so involved and engrossed, say for a semi-final or final? I think the opportunity to win a competition in itself feels like a very difficult thing to achieve, right? And when it’s difficult, and people feel like it might or might not happen, the connection and intensity with which they watch goes 10 levels higher,” Kohli remarked.
“While you are playing and you are creating an impact, because so many people are watching together, it’s not only about winning the trophy, it’s about what they feel when they watch you play. Even though they haven’t contributed in the game, the impact you feel as a spectator when I’m acting from the dugout - I’m feeling those emotions when I’m watching a Krunal play under pressure. And that just creates an energy inside you which is very difficult to explain. You feel like there’s a buzz again, you feel like, oh man, this was phenomenal. I feel inspired looking at these kinds of moments,” he explained.