Royal Challengers Bengaluru veteran Virat Kohli said the break away from the game helps him stay mentally fresh. Kohli played continuously for India in the last 15 years but now only plays the ODI format after taking retirement from Test and T20I cricket.

The talisman scored an impressive knock of 69 runs off just 38 balls in the run-chase of 202 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday. Kohli added 101 runs off just 45 balls with Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 61 runs.

The experienced batter said he is not coming into IPL 2026 underprepared and he is ready to give his 120% on the field.

Virat Kohli said while talking to the broadcasters, “Well, you know, the kind of scheduling that we’ve had over the last 15 years, and the amount of cricket I’ve played, for me, there was always a risk of getting burnt out rather than being undercooked. So these breaks helped me immensely. I stay fresh, I stay excited. Whenever I come back to play, it’s 120%. I’m not coming back, you know, underprepared.

“In fact, the extra rest helps me to mentally freshen up. And as long as you’re physically fit and you’re excited mentally, both those things come together nicely. And then you’re able to, you know, contribute for the team’s cause. And that’s what you want to do as a player. You don’t want to hold on to a spot,” he added.

Kohli scored five fours and as many sixes as he batted at the top of his game against the Orange Army. The right-hander also had the rub of the green on his side as he was dropped by Heinrich Klaasen when he was on 28.

RCB will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on April 5.