Former Pakistan cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal have heaped massive praise on Virat Kohli for making the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) a competitive unit. Bengaluru are the defending champions and they have won two consecutive matches in the Indian Premier League 2026. Basit highlighted that RCB are no longer dependent on their batting unit as they have bowlers who can win matches in the 19th season of the tournament. He also lauded Kohli’s awareness and Tim David’s batting approach.
“RCB have become a good team. They had a weak bowling attack in the past. Now, they have Jacob Duffy and Krunal Pandya, who can impact the outcome of the match. Virat Kohli is the mastermind behind this change. Rajat Patidar is the captain, but it is Tim David who can hit a six or four when needed. His hitting is amazing,” Basit said.
Akmal is impressed with the way RCB head coach Andy Flower and batting coach Dinesh Karthik have led the team from behind the scenes.
“Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik deserve credit. They started planning a few months before the start of the season. I was surprised when the Mumbai Indians decided to release Tim David. I hope RCB keep him for another 10 years,” he said.
Akmal mentioned that RCB are a complete team. “They have match-winners. Phil Salt, Tim David and Jitesh Sharma are superb players. RCB didn’t give importance to their bowling in the first 16 years of the IPL. However, the situation has changed, and they now have quality bowlers,” he added.
“It is not going to be easy to beat them. Virat Kohli is batting more aggressively this season. His preparations are spot on, and he is actually playing like a modern-day cricketer. He is still hungry and wants to perform,” he concluded.
