Virat Kohli key, but RCB need to avoid depending on one man in the playoffs: Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar said Royal Challengers Bengaluru must avoid the danger of becoming too dependent on Virat Kohli during the IPL 2026 playoffs. On Tuesday, May 26, RCB will face Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

Kohli enjoyed a sensational season for RCB, scoring 557 runs from 14 matches at an average of 50.63. He also boasts an excellent record against the Titans, amassing 460 runs from eight matches at an average of 76.66.

Also Read: Dharamshala clash: RCB and Gujarat clash for direct ticket to Ahmedabad in Qualifier 1

Manjrekar warned that if Kohli tries to take on too much responsibility during the playoffs, it could push RCB into dangerous territory.

“RCB’s approach has to remain the same. Virat Kohli is a key player but everything does not depend on him, that is why they have become such a good team,” Manjrekar said on the Sportstar podcast.

“It’s important that Virat keeps playing the same way because he tends to take too much of the burden in the latter stages and if he does that, it’s a dangerous territory for RCB. So I think they should keep the same template,” added Manjrekar.

Despite being one of the biggest batsmen in the IPL, Kohli has struggled to dominate in the playoffs. He scored 396 runs in 17 innings at an average of 26.4 and a strike rate of 121.1, with only two half-centuries and a top score of 70 not out.

VIRAT KOHLI IN HIMSELF LEADS RCB

Kohli has once again been the heart of Bengaluru in IPL 2026, producing one game-winning run after another to lead the franchise into the playoffs. His most memorable knock of the season came against Kolkata Knight Riders, when he smashed a year unbeaten 105 off 60 balls during the high pressure chase 193.

The century against KKR was particularly special as it came on the heels of two consecutive ducks, underscoring Kohli’s remarkable ability to bounce back from setbacks. He also shared a crucial 92-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal in that match, expertly pacing the chase with a mixture of aggression and poise.

Apart from the numbers, Kohli’s energy, intensity and leadership have played a huge role in RCB’s consistency this season. With the playoffs underway, the franchise will once again look to its talisman to inspire another deep run and potentially deliver another memorable IPL campaign.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

May 26, 2026 1:54 PM IST

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