Virat Kohli [Source: AFP Photos]Virat Kohli is set to make his return to competitive cricket through the upcoming IPL 2026 season. This time, however, the legendary RCB batter will take the field as a defending champion.Despite his prolific form and recent IPL success, Kohli has now been issued a word of caution by former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan. The legendary all-rounder believes that the former RCB skipper might face some challenges this time around in IPL 2026, since he is only playing one format for Team India these days in international cricket. Irfan Pathan explains how IPL 2026 will be different for Virat Kohli Irfan Pathan recently explained the challenges Virat Kohli might have to face for the RCB franchise in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The former Indian all-rounder acknowledged that this is the first time in Kohli’s career that he will be entering an IPL season as only a one-format cricketer for Team India. Since Kohli’s retirements from Tests and T20Is have granted him longer breaks between action, Pathan believes that getting straight into IPL 2026 zone might not be as easy for the legendary batter as it seems. However, the cricketer-turned-commentator expressed his confidence in Virat Kohli’s abilities, as the modern-day batting behemoth has found success while playing for India in ODI cricket. Also Read- R Ashwin Joins Hands With Gautam Gambhir; Takes Jibe At Virat Kohli, Rohit SharmaTaking to his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan said “This time, things will be a little different for Kohli. For the first time, he will play the IPL having completely retired from Test cricket. He is playing only one format. It is not easy for anyone. But he has scored and his performance has been brilliant.” He added “Even when he comes after a break, it has not been difficult for him in one-day cricket. In T20s, when you play the aggressor and come in not having played a lot, it will be challenging. But he has faced many challenges before as well. I am very excited to see how he will go forward this season.” Irfan Pathan praises Virat Kohli’s RCB legacy Irfan Pathan also praised Virat Kohli’s legacy with the RCB franchise, one which he has carved since the beginning of his IPL career back in 2008. He said “Virat Kohli and RCB is an identity that goes together. He started with RCB and is still playing for them. He has delivered brilliant performances. It was also a golden period in his career when he captained the team, there were a lot of brilliant performances.” Pathan backs Kohli to replicate IPL 2025 success this year The RCB franchise won the IPL 2025 season last year by defeating Punjab Kings in a hard-fought final. Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, the outcome marked RCB’s first-ever IPL silverware, thus ending Virat Kohli’s title-drought after 18 seasons. The legendary batter himself played a crucial role in RCB’s success, aggregating 657 runs in just 15 innings of the tournament at a prolific average of 54.75 and with a staggering strike rate of 144.71. Irfan Pathan believes that Kohli has it in him to replicate his IPL 2025 success once again for the RCB in their title-defense in the upcoming 2026 edition of the tournament. The former all-rounder said “When they won last season, his strike rate also went up. He did not play anchor but took the role of an aggressor. It was a very big factor. They will expect even this time that he keeps up the same form.”Virat Kohli returns to the field against New Zealand, South Africa success The 37-year-old last played any form of competitive cricket back during India’s home ODI series against New Zealand in January. In three innings, the legendary right-hander scored 240 runs at a prolific average of 80, laced with a century and another 50-plus score. He also plundered a sizzling 77 and a match-winning 131 for Delhi in the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026 season. In the preceding ODI series against South Africa at home, the senior batter charted 302 runs at an average of 151 in three innings. Overall, in his last nine innings in 50-overs matches, Kohli has listed 50-plus scores eight times, and has converted four of them into centuries. Also Read- Punjab Kings' X-Factors Who Can Win Them IPL 2026 Title
