Virat Kohli, fresh off helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defend their IPL title against the Gujarat Titans on 1 June 2025 in Ahmedabad, has called on the next generation of Indian cricketers to invest in off-field preparation if they want to make a lasting impact on the game. The veteran batter, who finished another productive season with the bat, said the ability to read situations and adapt is what separates good players from great ones.

The Philosophy Behind Longevity

Speaking in a video shared by the IPL, Kohli traced his continued effectiveness at 37 to a relentless focus on self-improvement. 'The fact that I continue to play and compete, I want to keep improving and find areas in my game where I can make a difference and help the team score. That's always been my focus,' he said.

The former India captain stressed that modern T20 cricket demands versatility, not just firepower. 'It's about understanding situations in the game. The preparation has to be such that you can play in 3-4 different ways. If the pitch gets tough, you should be able to hit boundaries and not just sixes. Even if that's not possible, you should be able to rotate, strike and stay in the game,' Kohli explained.

Work Behind the Scenes: Kohli's Message to Youngsters

Kohli was direct about what he believes underpins match-day performance. 'For that, you need to do the work behind the scenes when you're not competing. That's probably the process to go about things when you want to make an impact on the field. Hopefully, whoever comes to have a chat with me, I can convey the same message with clarity. Keep the standard of Indian cricket high,' he said.

He elaborated on what a 'well-rounded game' looks like in practice: 'I try to prepare a well-rounded game and try to implement that as best as I can in every situation that I play. That's the only thing I urge the youngsters to understand. Play according to the situation and the demands of the game. If you stay with the situation of the game, you're always going to be able to find solutions.'

Adapting to T20's Explosive Evolution

Kohli acknowledged that T20 cricket has shifted dramatically in recent years, forcing even established players to rethink their methods. 'The game is changing pretty rapidly. Just an opportunity for me to look at areas where I can get better. The explosive side of the game was something that needs to be taken care of nowadays,' he noted.

Rather than chasing sixes, Kohli said he doubled down on what he does best — boundary placement through timing. 'I'm not a guy who will hit 40-50 sixes in a season, but I can hit 70-80 fours. I really worked on that aspect of my game. I'm going to hit the shots I can hit more often and take the bowlers on.' He also pointed to a telling statistic: 'When I play longer in the game, our success rate is 100% for the last two seasons. That gives me clarity as well that if I bat for long enough in the game, our chances of winning improve significantly.'

RCB's Title Defence: Confidence Built Over a Season

Reflecting on RCB's run to the title, Kohli said the squad arrived at the final with a composure that was markedly different from the previous year. 'We came to the game today, didn't feel the same as last year. We were so relaxed, so confident of our skill sets and we just knew if we play to our potential, we are the best team in the comp,' he said.

He credited the league stage for building that belief. 'The league stage was a proof of that. We finished top of the league table and ended up getting to the finals before everyone else. Just a very professional, very mature performance from the whole team throughout the season. We just didn't have any doubts coming in today,' Kohli added.

With RCB now back-to-back IPL champions, all eyes will be on whether Kohli can carry this form into India's international assignments — and whether the young players he mentors can absorb the lessons he is so keen to pass on.