Virat Kohli's Popularity Increases, Indian Great Compared With Roger Federer, Michael Jordan

Dinesh Karthik and Virat Kohli [Source: X]

Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batters that Royal Challengers Bengaluru will ever possess, and RCB coach Dinesh Karthik doubled down on exactly that factor while speaking on his greatness as one of the team's most formidable pillars. 

RCB, after securing their IPL 2026 title, have now become a team to win the trophy two times. Both these editions saw Virat Kohli as one of the top scorers with the bat, and his consistency has never been questioned, especially in the premier Indian domestic T20 league. 

Weeks after the league's conclusion, Dinesh Karthik exposed a side of Virat Kohli that not many of his followers and colleagues are familiar with.

Kohli Evolving Even Better In T20 Cricket

Despite being one of the greatest players of ODI cricket, Virat Kohli has also bagged humongous numbers in the shortest format of the game. Though he retired from T20I cricket for India back in May 2025, his IPL legacy has picked up ever since. 

In IPL 2025, Kohli scored 657 runs from 15 matches while averaging 54.75 at a strike rate of 144.71. In the next edition, that is this year, he even surpassed his previous year's numbers with 675 runs to his name, as he achieved that with an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84. 

All of this greatness while traversing through formats has now converted him into one of the biggest league players, which coach Dinesh Karthik also wasn't shy to mention. 

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Karthik Compares Kohli To Legends; Warns of Not Crossing The Line With Him

While speaking to RCB, Dinesh Karthik compared Kohli to some of the greatest names in sports, such as Michael Jordan, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer. Karthik shared that Kohli belongs to that league of players and is of legendary stature. 

Further sharing on Kohli, Dinesh Karthik revealed that Virat Kohli doesn't like it when someone interferes in his process. Karthik shared that as long as no one interferes with his thinking, Virat Kohli can create magic with the bat for his team. 

"He's in the big leagues - Michael Jordans, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer. He's in that league. As long as you don't interfere in his process, you respect him for the person that he is with the bat & off the field, he'll create magic for you. There is no doubt about that, he's been doing that for 19 years & I don't see why he can't do it for much longer,” Karthik shared. 

While speaking of his retirement, Karthik neglected all the rumours, sharing that Kohli has been playing so well for 19 years, and there is absolutely no reason why he can't do it for much longer.

Virat Kohli Waiting To Join India Camp For England ODIs

As the debates revolve around Virat Kohli and his future prospects, the India batter is currently struggling to get back into the Indian ODI squad. 

After missing out on the Afghanistan ODIs in early June due to a hamstring injury, Kohli is still rehabbing at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and is in doubt for participation in the England ODIs. 

The ODI series is set to start from July 14, and the India star currently has almost two weeks on his hands to get back on his feet and join the Men in Blue camp to feature in the three-match series that will build up his preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

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