IPL 2026: ‘Open mindset can bring back 2016 Kohli’ - Ravichandran Ashwin backs RCB star

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed strong confidence in veteran batter Virat Kohli ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, where Kohli will represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Kohli is set to return to competitive cricket after a three-month break, following his appearance in an ODI series against New Zealand earlier in 2026. Ashwin believes that fans could witness an unbreakable version of Kohli in the upcoming IPL season, one capable of recreating his historic 2016 campaign.

During the IPL 2016, Kohli delivered one of the greatest batting performances in tournament history. He amassed a record 973 runs at an extraordinary average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03. That season included four centuries and played a crucial role in taking RCB to the final, where they eventually fell short against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In recent years, Kohli has maintained remarkable consistency, crossing the 600-run mark in each of the last three IPL seasons while averaging over 50 in all of them.

"Virat Kohli is sitting in a position of complete peace and blissfulness. He has accomplished a lot of things, has won tournaments, he has now won the IPL as well. He just wants to go after that one more 50-over World Cup. He can go and play freely now," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"If he comes with an open mindset, he can bat like IPL 2016. The age factor is there. He can definitely go onto repeat it. If he says, 'Boss, I am just going to let go and have fun'. Even if he makes 300 runs at a strike rate of 170, that is a job done for RCB," he added.

AB de Villiers has highlighted the immense value Kohli brings to RCB dressing room. The former South African batter emphasised that Kohli’s presence goes far beyond just scoring runs. De Villiers pointed out that Kohli’s infectious energy, intensity, and aggressive attitude on the field helped lift the entire squad.

"Virat definitely is still the heartbeat of the franchise. Not only through his performances and the consistency he has achieved with the bat over the years, but also through his presence and the energy he brings to the squad. The way he conducts himself on and off the field, always fighting for the team, stands out. He brings that energy and makes the youngsters believe that they can ultimately go on and win the trophy, which RCB did last year,” de Villiers said on JioStar.