"Ready at 120%": Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Virat Kohli comments on victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad
Virat Kohli kicked off the new IPL 2026 season in spectacular fashion, notching an unbeaten 69 and leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a commanding victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The match took place at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, where RCB successfully chased down a target of 202 runs, wrapping up the pursuit in just 15.4 overs, with Kohli emerging as the standout performer. After the match, the Indian batter highlighted that a break from T20 cricket helped him return to the field in peak condition.
With the intense schedule we've had for the last 15 years, there's always a risk of burnout. These breaks have helped me a lot—I feel fresh and motivated. When I come back, I'm ready at 120%. I wasn't trying anything out of the ordinary—just kept my rhythm and stayed physically prepared. That allowed me to get into the game quickly," Kohli stated.
It's worth noting that his last T20 match was in the IPL 2025 final, where RCB claimed their maiden title. The new season began with a convincing win for the team, and Kohli himself reaffirmed his form with a flurry of powerful shots—registering five boundaries and five sixes.
Up next, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host Chennai Super Kings at home on April 11.
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
