Virat Kohli under pressure? Former KKR batter shares bold take on RCB star before CSK clash

Former Team India batter Manoj Tiwary shared his thoughts on Virat Kohli before the IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that Kohli might be under pressure due to limited match practice in recent months.

Kohli played only three competitive matches before the IPL 2026 season. He featured in limited-overs games during the home series against New Zealand in January. The right-handed batter then traveled to England for tournament preparations before joining the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp.

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Manoj Tiwary said that limited match practice creates early pressure on Virat Kohli. He stated that Kohli consistently proves his value to the team, adding that the RCB dugout believes whenever he bats.

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“There will be at least a little bit of pressure because he hasn’t played much. But he always comes with proof of why he is Virat Kohli. As long as he is at the crease, there is always belief in the dugout," Tiwary said while speaking on Cricbuzz.

“Along with him, the way Devdutt Padikkal has also started this season, the way he (Padikkal) released pressure in the last match, made a huge difference," he added.

Kohli dismissed concerns about early rustiness during the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He scored an unbeaten 69 runs from 38 balls. Devdutt Padikkal supported him well as the defending champions chased a target of 202 runs in just over 15 overs.

Virat Kohli's Record Against Chennai Super Kings in IPL

Virat Kohli has a good record against Chennai Super Kings. He has scored 1,146 runs in 35 innings at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 127.

Kohli is the leading run-scorer in tournament history. He has scored 8,730 runs in 260 innings, including eight centuries and 64 half-centuries at a strike rate of 133.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Chennai Super Kings twice during the 2025 season. They secured a 50-run win in Chennai, where fast bowler Josh Hazlewood took three wickets. RCB also won their home game by two runs while defending a total of 214.

There Was A Lack Of Proactiveness In Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Captaincy - Manoj Tiwary

Chennai Super Kings are at the bottom of the points table after two early defeats. They lost matches against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad faces scrutiny after losing six consecutive matches.

Manoj Tiwary said that Gaikwad lacks proactiveness. He stated that the CSK skipper should have used alternative bowling options when his frontline bowlers conceded runs at the Chepauk Stadium.

“The issue isn’t with the playing XI. Last match, I felt that they could have used Prashant Veer with the ball, or even Shivam Dube. When you see that your frontline regular bowlers are conceding runs, they could have considered that route or an option. There was a lack of proactiveness in Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy, and there are a lot of other issues, there is no doubt about that.”

CSK used only five bowlers while defending a target of 210 runs against Punjab Kings. Three of these bowlers had economy rates above 11. Gaikwad did not give the ball to Prashant Veer or Shivam Dube, allowing the opposition to chase the target with eight balls remaining.

Also read: Dewald Brevis injury update: CSK star to miss RCB clash, set to return vs...