‘Players Want To Be In Touch And Play Regularly But Kohli…’ – Kaif’s Bold Remarks Ahead of IPL 2024

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif expects a ‘rejuvenated’ Virat Kohli upon rejoining the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2024, emphasising Kohli’s consistent ability to elevate his game after breaks.

Mohammad Kaif also maintains that even with RCB boasting big names like Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green, the significance of Virat Kohli’s role cannot be overstated, given his reputation for anchoring innings and delivering when the team needs it.

“Virat Kohli has been playing amazing cricket from the last 1-2 years; he has been in good form. I remember during the Asia Cup when he scored a century against Afghanistan; since then, he hasn’t looked back. He has been in amazing form since then, and when a player like Virat Kohli is in form, he knows how to make runs in every match; he was also the player of the tournament during the World Cup,” Kaif told Star Sports.

“So I think he’s going to continue this amazing form. One special thing about Virat Kohli is that every time he comes back from a break, he plays really well. Most players want to be in touch and play regularly to get in form, but Virat Kohli every time when he comes back from the break, he comes across as a more dangerous batsman.”

Notably, Virat Kohli has been absent from the cricket scene since the T20I series against Afghanistan in January, choosing to take a break with his wife, Anushka Sharma, to celebrate the arrival of their second child, Akaay.

“Yes, there are Green and Maxwell in the team, but Virat Kohli’s form will decide RCB’s place in the playoffs. It’s important that Virat Kohli is in form with Maxwell and Green for RCB to qualify for the playoffs,” Kaif added.

Reports indicate that Virat Kohli is scheduled to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp in Bengaluru on March 17, just ahead of the highly anticipated unboxing event on March 19.