New Delhi: Ravichandran Ashwin But is highly appreciated Virat Kohlidescribing his energy level as “strange” for his age, insisting that the Indian stalwart continues to “walk the talk” even after being away from Tests and T20Is.Kohli marked his return to T20 cricket in style, scoring an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore to a dominant six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener.
Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Ashwin was particularly impressed with Kohli’s style and intensity at the crease. “He talks,” Ashwin said on the JioHotstar show, highlighting how the veteran sets the standard.“It’s almost like he’s putting on a show for people to see how the game should be played — play it hard and play it the way it’s supposed to be played,” he added.Kohli’s knock came on the back of an impressive run in ODIs, where he had already shown impressive form against New Zealand and South Africa earlier this year, underscoring his consistency across formats.‘Strange at this age’What stood out most for Ashwin, however, was Kohli’s unparalleled intensity between the wickets. “I find him quite awkward at this age. I tell him that during our conversations,” she revealed.Recalling a moment from the innings, Ashwin said, “He was batting on 40, RCB were coasting, and he ran for a single. He stopped, and before the other batsman got halfway, he was already looking for a second.”He added that even with a short boundary, Kohli’s eagerness to score extra runs shows his constant hunger. “It shows the passion he still brings to the game,” Ashwin noted.Backing up Duffy’s effectsAshwin also appreciated. Jacob Duffy For his match-defining spell, he was credited with setting the tone with the ball.“When Duffy was picked, I said it’s an amazing choice. He’s in the prime of his career,” Ashwin said, adding that the fast bowler adapted smartly after initial setbacks.“Strategically, RCB were superior and executed those plans beautifully,” he observed.Yet, the spotlight remained firmly on Kohli – whose relentless drive, according to Ashwin, continues to defy age and expectations.
