Manjrekar Cautions RCB on Kohli Reliance

Sanjay Manjrekar warns RCB against over-relying on Virat Kohli in IPL 2026 playoffs. Kohli is top scorer but has a mixed playoff record. Learn more.

As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare for the IPL 2026 playoffs, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has issued a cautionary note regarding their reliance on star batter Virat Kohli. Despite Kohli being RCB's top run-scorer this season with 557 runs from 14 matches, Manjrekar believes that the defending champions should not be overly dependent on him for success.

Manjrekar emphasized that Kohli's form is not the primary concern, but rather his mindset in high-pressure playoff situations. While Kohli has a history of performing exceptionally in major tournaments, his IPL playoff record shows a less dominant performance, with a lower strike rate and only two half-centuries across 17 matches. He has scored 396 runs in these crucial games.

The former cricketer urged Kohli to maintain his usual aggressive style of play but cautioned against him taking excessive responsibility, which could be detrimental to RCB's chances. Manjrekar stressed the importance of a balanced team approach for RCB as they aim to secure a second consecutive IPL title and face the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.

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