The captaincy of Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League has ensured the consistency in performance. As Kohli starts the new season with a bang, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is receiving a good start with some fine performances by the player. With the Indian team now set to meet Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming match, it will be interesting to see if Kohli can repeat his form from the previous seasons in this new competition.
The stats for Virat Kohli in matches played against RR indicate his consistency as a batsman. The player has scored 896 runs in 32 innings at an average of 34.46. However, the strike rate for Kohli stands at a moderate 123.92. In addition, Kohli has also shown his class with a hundred and six fifty scores in RR. However, his recent form in IPL 2026 shows sharper intent, hinting at a possible shift in approach.
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Virat Kohli vs Rajasthan Royals – IPL Record
| Category | Statistics |
| Matches | 33 |
| Innings | 32 |
| Runs | 896 |
| Average | 34.46 |
| Strike Rate | 123.92 |
| Highest Score | 113* |
| 100s / 50s | 1 / 6 |
The Sandeep Sharma Challenge Awaits
The greatest challenge for Kohli continues to be Sandeep Sharma. Kohli has been dismissed seven times by Sandeep Sharma in the IPL history. In total, he has scored 132 runs against him at a batting average of around 19. This particular battle is a significant one. It disrupts Kohli’s timing because of his slow pace. Consequently, this match-up will determine the game’s outcome.
Apart from this, the ground will also be a factor. Kohli’s strike rate increases to approximately 150 in Bengaluru while decreasing in Jaipur’s weather. Now Guwahati introduces another element. Moreover, the new ball bowlers from RR, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger, apply early pressure on the batsmen. Therefore, Kohli’s start becomes essential here.
However, on the flip side, Kohli’s recent performance indicates flexibility. His 113* in 2024 and consistent scores in 2025 show consistency. Kohli builds the innings before accelerating in the latter half. But in this edition, his approach has changed. He alongside his batting partners look to take the attack from the front. RCB’s strong middle order allows him the freedom to go hard from the very first ball of the innings.
To conclude, Kohli enjoys a numerical advantage over Rajasthan Royals. Yet, the current match-ups carry more significance. Should he survive Sandeep Sharma early, he can dominate the opposition. If not, RR might get through.
