Sanjay Manjrekar warns Virat Kohli against changing approach as RCB enter “dange – Sanjay Manjrekar Urges Virat Kohli to Maintain Aggressive Stance for IPL 2026 Playoffs

The High-Stakes Road to the IPL 2026 Final

As the Indian Premier League 2026 enters its most critical phase, the conversation surrounding the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and their talisman, Virat Kohli, has reached a fever pitch. With the playoffs set to commence, former Indian cricketer and astute analyst Sanjay Manjrekar has offered a crucial piece of advice to the 37-year-old superstar. Manjrekar believes that for RCB to succeed, Kohli must avoid the trap of taking too much weight on his shoulders during the knockout rounds.

The Battle of the Titans: RCB vs. GT

The stage is set for a blockbuster Qualifier match between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Gujarat Titans. Both teams have dominated the 2026 season, finishing neck-and-neck at the top of the points table with 18 points each. Their rivalry this year has been fascinating, with both sides having claimed a victory against the other in their league encounters.

While Kohli led the charge in a dominant win at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Titans struck back with a crushing victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium. As both teams head into the playoffs, their form provides an interesting contrast. The Titans enter the knockouts with significant momentum, having won four of their last five matches. In contrast, RCB has faced a slight dip, losing two of their final five games. This discrepancy only adds to the intensity expected when these two giants collide.

Manjrekar’s Tactical Insight

Sanjay Manjrekar’s assessment of the current RCB setup focuses on the collective strength of the unit. He notes that RCB’s success this year has been built on a balanced team effort, rather than an over-reliance on a single individual. In a recent interview, Manjrekar emphasized the importance of stability in their approach.

“The approach of RCB must remain the same. Virat Kohli is a key player, but everything does not hinge on him; that is how they have become such a good team,” Manjrekar stated. He specifically warned against the tendency for senior players to feel the burden of leadership in high-pressure games. “It is important for Virat to keep playing in the same fashion, because he has a tendency in the final stages to take too much of the onus on himself, and if he does that, that is dangerous territory for RCB to be in.”