Former India captain Virat Kohli has hailed the rise of women’s cricket in India, praising players like Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues for inspiring a new generation and elevating the standard of the game through their performances on the big stage.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter reflected on leadership, longevity, women’s cricket and the emotional significance of the franchise’s maiden IPL title during a recent episode of the RCB Podcast. Kohli also spoke candidly about his evolving relationship with the game and the impact he now hopes to leave beyond records and statistics.
His remarks come at a time when Indian cricket is witnessing a transition period, with young players redefining T20 batting while women’s cricket continues to gain unprecedented visibility following the rise of the WPL.
Speaking about the growth of women’s cricket, Kohli praised Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues for their recent performances on the big stage.
“There’s no doubt that Smriti has always had this very unique talent. She’s a very gifted and natural timer of the ball, which is amazing to watch. It was amazing to watch her perform like that in the final,” Kohli said.
“I was proud of Jemmy because of what she had gone through in the tournament. It felt like a meant-to-be moment for her. She looked completely zoned out, in her own world, just watching the ball. It didn’t feel like she was bothered about the record chase, the world champions or the strongest team out there. It showed amazing mental strength and resilience,” he added.
BEYOND MILESTONES
Kohli remains the highest run-getter for his franchise in the ongoing season of the Indian Premeir League season, amassing 484 runs at an average of 53.77 while strinking at 167.75. His motivation, though, has evolved beyond milestones and achievements.
“I’m in a phase of my life and career where I’m just doing things which are purposeful. Even playing cricket, you get to a stage which goes beyond numbers and achievements. It’s not fulfilling you in a way that is organic, which is in flow with the love of the game. Now I’m at a stage where I feel like the purpose is the impact you can leave on people,” Kohli said.
Kohli also revisited the emotions of finally winning the IPL title with RCB after nearly two decades of waiting, a triumph he described as one of the most meaningful moments of his cricketing journey. The title ended years of heartbreak for the Bengaluru-based franchise and cemented Kohli’s enduring bond with the team and its fanbase.
Kohli also acknowledged the fearless approach of younger batters has been the trend of evolving T20 cricket while stressing the continued importance of technique and discipline.
“The talent is through the roof. The youngsters are growing up on powerful, explosive cricket and their ability to clear the boundary and hit aggressive shots is phenomenal. But the game is still played between 22 yards. You need technique, you need balance, you need some kind of symmetry to play this game,” he said.
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