'He's looking to take risks from ball one'- Sunil Gavaskar opines on Virat Kohli's success in IPL 2025

Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli (Source: Sunil Gavaskar/Instagram and PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)

Sunil Gavaskar spoke about the changes has embraced in his T20 batting in the last few months. In the JioHotstar dugout, the cricket expert noted the change in Virat's intent t to play lofted shots. The JioStar expert claimed Kohli has been playing lofted shots right from the word go, rather than playing them after getting set.

Gavaskar felt the bowlers who were prepared for him to play drives and flick shots were dealt with lofted shots, which forced them to rethink their strategy. "The big difference over the last season and a half has been his intent to play lofted shots much earlier," the former Indian cricketer said.

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"Earlier, those lofted shots would come later in the innings, but now he’s looking to take risks from ball one, and that’s making a huge difference. Bowlers who were prepared for his drives and flicks are now seeing the ball going over the infield for boundaries. That change in mindset has thrown the bowlers off, and it’s working beautifully for him," Gavaskar added.

'Rajat is lucky to have that environment' - Sunil Gavaskar

One of the key reasons behind RCB's win was Rajat Patidar's 64(32) with the bat. While Virat set the tone with his 67(42), it was the RCB skipper who built his innings on it and ensured RCB got going well in the middle overs phase. Gavaskar felt Rajat had the confidence of being under a good leadership unit in RCB.

"He certainly seems liberated as the leader, and he knows he's got a solid group around him," Gavaskar added. The former Indian cricketer felt Dinesh Karthik has had a huge influence on Patidar's leadership and felt it has helped RCB.

"Rajat is lucky to have that environment, a group hungry for success. Seventeen years without a title, and now they understand what needs to be done to win. With a relaxed, laid-back captain, others are also stepping up with their experience to help move the team forward," claimed the former Indian opener on the JioStar panel.