Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra praised Venkatesh Iyer for playing a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 title triumph. RCB registered a five-wicket win against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday to win their second consecutive title.
Chasing 156 runs for the win, Iyer provided a brisk start to his team despite getting hit on the leg. The left-hander played a crucial cameo of 32 runs off 16 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes and added 62 runs for the opening alliance with Virat Kohli.
Iyer scored a total of 209 runs in six innings of IPL 2026 at an average of 52.25 and a blistering strike rate of 186.60. Chopra lauded the left-hander for delivering the goods despite batting at different positions for RCB.
“Where could RCB have lost this match? There was only one way, that Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj come and take two or three wickets quickly, and that can only happen if you strike in the first two overs and send Venkatesh Iyer back immediately. However, Venkatesh scored 32 runs off 16 balls,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“He was standing on one leg and swinging his bat, but he scored crucial runs. Phil Salt wasn’t there, and he ensured his absence wasn’t felt. He has batted in different positions, but he has been very good. Well done, Venkatesh Iyer. It was an extremely important knock in the context of the game,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian opener hailed Virat Kohli for scoring an unbeaten knock of 75 runs off 42 balls in the all-important final. Kohli was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine innings.
“He took down Rabada at the start. He made the Powerplay in their name. He has scored 77 fifties in 19 years, and this was the fastest. This was his first fifty that came off 25 or fewer balls. Just imagine how many years you meditated to gain attainment. This was that kind of a thing,” he said.
Chopra highlighted that Kohli slowed down after reaching his fifty as he wanted to remain unbeaten and get his team over the line.
“You stay relevant, fit, and dominating, and you still keep upgrading and updating. He reached his fifty and then played slowly after that because it was necessary to win the match. There should be a star against the name in the end. You become a superstar only when there is a star, and he is a superstar. He is Virat GOAT Kohli. There is no doubt about it,” Chopra observed.
Kohli scored a total of 675 runs in 16 matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84.
