Change is always happening, but one thing that stays the same is Virat Kohli’s ability to be a scoring machine, as noted by former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. He believes that Kohli will be at the top of his game when the IPL 2025 rolls around. We saw Kohli show some of that classic form during the recent Champions Trophy, where he played exceptionally well and helped India secure the trophy.
Kohli, who leads the IPL’s all-time scoring list with over 8000 runs from 252 matches, is looking to maintain that fiery form as his team, RCB, gears up to face KKR at Eden Gardens on Saturday. Williamson is confident that Kohli will make a big impact once again, just like he has in nearly every season of the IPL. “He’s super motivated this year with RCB and really wants to chase that title,” he mentioned during a press chat. “I believe this year they’ll be in the running for it.”
Williamson also talked about how players go through different stages in their careers, and while Kohli has been around for quite a while, his playing style might change a bit over time. But his drive and passion for the game are still very much alive, and that has been clear in his recent performances.
He also shared his thoughts on the BCCI deciding to allow the use of saliva again during matches, expressing some concerns but also seeing a potential upside for bowlers. “In my experience playing white ball cricket, it’s always been tough to keep the white ball shining,” he said. “Whether this rule change will have a big effect, we’ll have to wait and see. But if it helps even a bit, that could benefit the game.”
Williamson pointed out that if the ball swings more, it could really help seam and swing bowlers, especially since the pitches in the IPL tend to favor batting and have shorter boundaries. “If saliva does help with the swing, that would be fantastic for the competition,” he concluded, confirming his role as an expert for JioStar.