• Source:JND

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru gear up for the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels Virat Kohli's ability to understand and respond to opposition tactics could be a major factor in the title clash.

Kohli has played a crucial role in RCB's journey to a second straight IPL final. His consistency at the top of the order has given the batting line-up a solid foundation, while also allowing the middle order to play with greater freedom.

Ashwin on Kohli's threat to GT

Ahead of Sunday's final in Ahmedabad, Ashwin highlighted Kohli's sharp cricketing mind and the way he adjusts to challenges from bowlers.

"Virat is very smart, actually, in terms of understanding what's coming his way," Ashwin told Jio Hotstar. "In the last game in Dharamshala, he pulled one off Kagiso Rabada, and it's almost like he's telling himself, the world, and Rabada, 'You know what, I can pull that. You got me out in Ahmedabad, but I'm showing you that I've got that in my closet," he added.

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Ashwin pointed out that Gujarat Titans have generally looked to test Kohli with deliveries outside the off stump, trying to force him into shots that are not his strongest option.

"What GT have done to Virat is bowl really wide. They're asking his closed bottom hand to open up and go square of the pitch. He's gotten out nicking those balls over the last two years," he said.

However, Ashwin believes Kohli has responded well to that tactic and shown clear improvement against it.

"Virat countered that well in Ahmedabad. They went back to that plan in Dharamshala, and he still handled it well," he added.

Ashwin also stressed how valuable Kohli's presence at the crease is for the rest of the RCB batting unit.

"Everybody in the RCB team would want Virat anchored in there for as long as he can, because that enables them to take the high-risk options they have played all through the season," he said.

Ashwin on Rajat Patidar's impact in final

The former off-spinner also reserved special praise for RCB captain Rajat Patidar, describing him as one of the most dangerous players against spin in the tournament.

Ashwin believes Patidar's unique footwork and bat swing make him a difficult batter for spinners to contain, and suggested Gujarat Titans may be better off relying more on pace in the final.

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"He's a demonic spin-hitter. He's one of those very rare breeds of batters who climb into deliveries using his feet, whether it's towards the stumps, outside leg stump, or through the covers, he steps into it. That's a very rare phenomenon. The reason he's able to do it is that he's diminutive in stature, but he's got a great bat swing, which just dips and goes to the highest point where he can really start using those levers, very much like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi," Ashwin said.

Kohli's record in IPL final

Before the IPL 2026 final, Kohli had played four IPL finals and scored 139 runs in four innings, including one half-century, which came during the 2016 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad.


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