Virat Kohli's game intelligence key for RCB in IPL 2026 final, says Ashwin
Synopsis
Ravichandran Ashwin has laid out exactly how Gujarat Titans have been targeting Virat Kohli with wide deliveries — and why it may no longer work. With Kohli already adapting mid-series and Rajat Patidar posing a separate spin-hitting threat, RCB arrive at the Ahmedabad final with a tactical edge that Gujarat will need to urgently recalibrate against.
Key Takeaways
Ravichandran Ashwin backed Virat Kohli to counter Gujarat Titans' plans in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad .
Ashwin revealed GT's primary plan has been to bowl wide to Kohli, forcing him to nick through the off side — a tactic Kohli has reportedly begun neutralising.
Kohli's anchoring role is described as critical to freeing RCB's aggressive middle order throughout the season.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar was highlighted as a 'demonic spin-hitter' and a major threat to Gujarat's bowling attack in the final.
Ashwin compared Patidar's footwork and bat swing to that of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi , calling the trait a 'very rare phenomenon.'
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Virat Kohli to outfox Gujarat Titans' bowling plans in the IPL 2026 final, citing the veteran batter's tactical awareness as a decisive factor when Royal Challengers Bengaluru face off against Gujarat in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Kohli has been instrumental in RCB's march to a second consecutive final, providing top-order stability that has freed the team's aggressive middle order.
Ashwin on Kohli's Reading of the Game
Ashwin, speaking to Jio Hotstar, pointed to a specific moment from RCB's previous encounter in Dharamshala as evidence of Kohli's evolving counter-strategy. 'Virat is very smart, actually, in terms of understanding what's coming his way,' Ashwin said. 'In the last game in Dharamshala, he pulled one off Kagiso Rabada, and it's almost like he's telling himself, the world, and Rabada, 'You know what, I can pull that. You got me out in Ahmedabad, but I'm showing you that I've got that in my closet.'
This comes amid a sustained tactical duel between Kohli and Gujarat's pace spearhead Rabada, which has played out across multiple matches this season and is set to reach its peak in the final.
Gujarat's Wide-Line Plan Against Kohli
Ashwin detailed the blueprint Gujarat Titans have deployed against Kohli over the past two years. 'What GT have done to Virat is bowl really wide. They're asking his closed bottom hand to open up and go square of the pitch. He's gotten out nicking those balls over the last two years,' he observed.
Notably, Ashwin acknowledged that Kohli has already begun neutralising this strategy. 'Virat countered that well in Ahmedabad. They went back to that plan in Dharamshala, and he still handled it well,' he added. The implication is that Gujarat may need a fresh approach if they are to dismiss Kohli early in the final.
Why Kohli's Presence Matters for RCB's Batting
Beyond his own run-scoring, Ashwin stressed that Kohli's value lies in the licence his presence grants the rest of the batting unit. 'Everybody in the RCB team would want Virat anchored in there for as long as he can, because that enables them to take the high-risk options they have played all through the season,' he said.
This anchoring role has been central to RCB's campaign, allowing stroke-makers lower in the order to operate with freedom rather than caution.
Patidar's Spin-Hitting a Threat for Gujarat
Ashwin also singled out RCB captain Rajat Patidar as a particular challenge for Gujarat's bowling attack, describing him as one of the most destructive spin-hitters in the competition. 'He's a demonic spin-hitter. He's one of those very rare breeds of batters who climb into deliveries using his feet, whether it's towards the stumps, outside leg stump, or through the covers, he steps into it,' Ashwin said.
Ashwin drew a comparison with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, noting that Patidar's compact stature combined with exceptional bat swing allows him to generate leverage at the ideal point of contact. The assessment suggests Gujarat may need to lean on their pace options rather than spin when Patidar is at the crease. With the final set to be played in Ahmedabad, pitch conditions and team selection will be closely watched ahead of Sunday's showdown.
Point of View
Ashwin effectively signals that Gujarat need a Plan B they have not yet shown publicly. The more intriguing subplot is Patidar: if Gujarat over-correct by going pace-heavy to contain him, they risk exposing their spin options against a Kohli who is visibly in form. RCB enter the final holding both the psychological and tactical narrative.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Ravichandran Ashwin said about Virat Kohli ahead of the IPL 2026 final?
Ashwin said Kohli is 'very smart' in understanding and countering opposition plans, specifically praising how he has adapted to Gujarat Titans' wide-line bowling strategy across multiple matches this season. He described Kohli's pull shot off Kagiso Rabada in Dharamshala as a deliberate statement of intent.
What is Gujarat Titans' bowling plan against Virat Kohli?
According to Ashwin, Gujarat have consistently bowled wide of off stump to Kohli, trying to force his bottom hand to open up and induce an edge square of the pitch. Ashwin noted Kohli has been dismissed this way in the past but has since countered the plan effectively.
Why is Virat Kohli's role so important for RCB's batting order?
Ashwin explained that Kohli's presence at the crease gives the rest of the RCB batting unit the freedom to play high-risk shots, since his anchor role reduces pressure on the middle order. This dynamic has been a defining feature of RCB's run to the IPL 2026 final.
What did Ashwin say about RCB captain Rajat Patidar?
Ashwin described Patidar as a 'demonic spin-hitter' and one of the rarest breeds of batters who use their feet against spin from multiple angles. He compared Patidar's technique to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and suggested Gujarat may need to rely more on pace to contain him.
Where and when is the IPL 2026 final being played?
The IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans is scheduled for Sunday in Ahmedabad.
