Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has acknowledged that Prithvi Shaw's dismissal during an IPL 2026 encounter earlier this season was made possible by the guidance he offered the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowler.
At the Lucknow Super Giants' nine-run victory over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Prince bowled Kohli for a two-ball duck. The ball pitched on a length outside the off-stump and moved into Kohli sharply, rattling his stumps.
Following that game, Prince claimed that the instruction Kohli had given him following a previous encounter between the two teams was the reason for the wicket.
"After the last match, I was talking to him, and he told me that if the ball is doing something from a length, don’t leave it. So, I did that and got the result," Prince told the broadcasters.
Now Kohli has confirmed that the conversation did happen and stated he couldn’t help himself from helping out a young and upcoming pacer, and every senior cricketer should.
"Yeah, he bowled a great ball to me, and I told him to bowl in those areas. It is fine. I went and played in the Vijay Hazare [Trophy]. I didn’t know Prince at all. He is such a sweet guy, and he is so funny. I got very close to him, and he opened up very nicely to me. I was telling him even through those Vijay Hazare Trophy games what to do and where to bowl.
You have to share experiences. You are not going to be here forever. If people have the opportunity to learn and get better in their careers, eventually they play for India, and the standard of cricket remains high," Kohli said on the RCB podcast.
The former captain of India also discussed supporting players from competing IPL franchises, stating that Indian cricket is the broader picture.
"You look at my situation. If Yashasvi Jaiswal reaches out to me before we have to play the Rajasthan Royals, right? He’s probably looked up to me for a long period of time. Now I’m thinking, ‘He needs help.' Even though he’s going to play against us, it’s one game. But if he plays well for the whole season, eventually he’s going to play for India. So how can I not help him? He might score against us tomorrow or the day after. It’s okay," Kohli said.
“Despite Jaiswal scoring, we should find a way to win. Whatever it is, he might or might not. I’m not saying he would. There’s a possibility he might. So, I naturally can’t go into a space where I say, ‘He needs the help. Do it now.’ He’s going to practice two hours later. He’s probably called me on the way to the game once. So, I’m thinking it’ll help him in a way; it can improve his game. He can score some runs, he can have a great season, and it can open up things for him,” he stated.
He also revealed his conversation with Gujarat Titans pacer Mohammed Siraj.
"Before playing Gujarat [Titans] in Bengaluru, I spoke to Siraj on the boundary. I told him my observations—how I saw him run in and how it was different from before. He spoke to me about rhythm. And we are playing them two days later... I should be able to play his best version. I want him to be at his best so I can compete with him. I am ready for everyone’s best version. If someone is struggling, it is an opportunity for me to help. That is how I look at it," Kohli explained.
