IPL 2026 | ‘It feels like a completely different game’: Virat Kohli reveals KL Rahul chatter in T20 cricket
NEW DELHI: How much has T20 cricket changed over the years? There is a lot. The old way of just seeing the ball and hitting it hard has evolved into a game driven by creativity, innovation and adaptability. Bat swings, unusual shots, inventions and underhand power have all become part of the modern batter’s playbook.
As batsmen continue to improve, bowlers too are constantly finding new ways to survive this high-scoring era. Broad yorkers, slower deliveries, knuckle balls and clever variations are now essential weapons in the bowler’s arsenal. The standards of play, touched another level altogether – spectacular boundary catches, attempted passes and athletic stops that leave fans in awe of the stadiums.
So, has T20 cricket become a youth game?
Not really.
While young sensations and stars like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya and Abhishek Sharma are firing on all cylinders, bowlers like Sakib Hussain, Prince Yadav, Praful Hinge and Anshul Kamboj are also making a strong impact with the ball.
Meanwhile, seasoned players – especially those in the 35-plus group – continue to match the drive and hunger of the younger generation.
Virat Kohli, now 35, is still blasting bowlers all over the park with the same intensity as players much younger than him. He is currently the top scorer for RCB this season.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 36, continues to shine with the ball and remains among the leading wicket takers this season.
Meanwhile, Krunal Pandya, also 35, has played a game-changing role for Royal Challengers Bengaluru on several occasions this season.
RCB’s star batsman Kohli, speaking in a podcast with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said he feels that T20 cricket has now become a “completely different game” and not just a different format.
“Every ball is a powerful event. Every ball feels like the momentum can change in the game. It’s almost like you’re playing a high-profile Champions League football game where one bad pass or slip, and the whole competition is done. So it’s up to that level, the talent is through the roof. You see the youngsters coming, the way they can hit the explosive ball,” said an explosive Kohli.
Kohli went on to give examples to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Grame Smith as well.
“There are different ways to reach the same goals, and everyone has their own way of playing the game. We have had many situations in the past when people bat in different situations. They hit the ball in different places. For example, Graeme Smith, we felt that it is very difficult for him to hit the ball without the off-side with a direct bat, but by using the on-side, he was very successful in the Test, and he could have been very successful in the Test. The captain must therefore have that belief in your game, even if it is different from others,” he said.
“It’s not like AB de Villiers, where everything is perfectly aligned. Not like Sachin Tendulkar, where the bat comes down perfectly in a straight line. But people have found ways to succeed without having those skills or that particular way of playing the game. This is very similar to me, or in fact Bhuvi too. Today’s cricket, yes, the evolving T20 of the game. in terms of the evolution of the game today, it’s almost a different game altogether, not just a different format one day, and he said this to me: ‘It feels like a completely different game’, said Kohli.
