‘We have seen an upgrade in his game against spin this year’ – Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli’s performance in IPL 2025

‘We have seen an upgrade in his game against spin this year’ – Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli’s performance in IPL 2025 (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI and Twitter)

The electrifying IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) final is set to take place between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 3, and both teams will be chasing their maiden IPL title this season. One of the players to watch out for in the final is RCB’s legendary top-order batter Virat Kohli, who has had another incredible tournament this season. Former India opener Aakash Chopra has also shared his insights on the world-class batter.

Virat Kohli has scored 614 runs at an average of 55.81 and has a strike rate of 146.53 so far. Chopra has not only praised the two-time world champion’s batting but has also pointed out that he has improved his game against spinners as well. Reflecting on Kohli’s performances, the renowned commentator and analyst even questioned his decision to retire from Test cricket.

“This has once again been Virat Kohli‘s vintage season. The guy is a run machine. He doesn’t stop at all and keeps hitting. We have seen an upgrade in his game against spin this year. His strike rate looks slightly different when it’s a 200-plus chase,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“He is constantly evolving, and then you wonder why he has left Tests, as he is so fit and is just 36 years old. He has still got it. He said last year that he just wanted to say that he has still got it, and you still have got it, Mr Kohli. You could have played more Test cricket if you wished, but so be it,” the 47-year-old commentator added.

To complement Virat Kohli, you needed an opener who goes like rocket: Chopra

Besides Virat Kohli, Aakash Chopra also spoke about the contribution of Phil Salt in the same video. According to him, there was a need for an explosive opener like Salt to complement Virat in the team. Chopra noted that Salt was one of the best players for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and observed that the Men in Red always win when he scores above 50.

“The team wins every time Phil Salt scores a fifty in a chase. When he scores a fifty, he runs very fast. He was Kolkata’s pride last time, and he is this team’s honour this time. To complement Virat Kohli, you needed an opener who goes like a rocket,” Chopra said.

“He launches like a rocket, and he hits a lot. He has hit decently, and he bats carefree. Of course, it’s slightly more risky, but who cares, because he scores runs consistently. You say it’s great if you get six to eight innings in a year with that kind of a strike rate, and he has done that and a bit more. So he has been outstanding,” he concluded.

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