RCB insider exposes how Virat Kohli controls team strategies without being captain
Published - 19 Jul 2025, 05:19 PM | Updated - 19 Jul 2025, 05:20 PM
Table of Contents
Even after retiring from Test and T20I cricket, Virat Kohli’s presence continues to influence the game, whether it be in international cricket or the Indian Premier League (IPL). Virat Kohli’s unmatched understanding of the game still makes a difference behind the scenes.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) analyst Freddie Wilde recently gave a rare glimpse into how Kohli continues to play a strategic role off the field. Wilde revealed that Kohli doesn’t rely heavily on data during planning sessions and team discussions, but on his gut instincts.
Virat Kohli is a genius: RCB team analyst Freddie Wilde
Wilde explained that in team meetings, where every bowler’s patterns and matchups are arranged through data, Kohli would often point out subtle details that weren’t in the reports. His natural ability to read situations and anticipate opposition plans often ends up reinforcing the team’s tactical direction. Wilde said that the blend of instinct and insight makes Kohli a genius.
Freddie Wilde said on the Love of Cricket podcast, “You can see Virat's cricketing brain kicks in at those moments. We have team meetings, batting meetings...and I’ll often lead those by sharing data—bowler by bowler, their patterns, phases, and matchups. What’s brilliant is how Virat contributes.”
The RCB team analyst further noted, “He picks up stuff that the data doesn't always show. He’s not someone who asks for loads of data, but what’s reassuring is how his gut instinct often lines up perfectly with the analytics. That, for me, is genius.”
Virat Kohli keeps eyes on 2027 World Cup after Test and T20I retirement
Meanwhile, before the start of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket. Earlier, the dashing right-handed batter also bid farewell to T20 Internationals after helping India lift the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
In Test cricket, Kohli played 123 matches, scoring 9230 runs at an average close to 47. He has 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries to his name in Tests. In T20Is, he scored 4188 runs from 125 games at an outstanding average of nearly 49 and scored one century and 38 fifties.
However, the modern-day legend continues to feature in ODI cricket. In 302 one-day matches, the former Indian captain has amassed 14,181 runs with 51 hundreds and 74 fifties to his name and now eyes having a last shot at the ICC World Cup 2027.
Read Also: Greg Chappell attacks Shubman Gill, demands improvement in captaincy: 'Bat can’t do the talking'
Virat Kohli dominates IPL, eyes India comeback sooner than expected
In the IPL, Kohli has always been the heart of Royal Challengers Bangalore. He holds the record for the most runs in tournament history, with 8661 runs in 267 matches, including 8 centuries and 63 fifties. He has remained a consistent and dominant batter in the IPL with RCB since 2008.
The former Indian skipper is likely to be seen in action in the ODI series on the Australia tour later this year. However, if BCCI gives the green signal to SLC for the white-ball series next month, Kohli can return to action in the national jersey more than expected.
About the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ... Read more
