Kohli admits mentoring Yadav contributed to his IPL dismissal

Virat Kohli has acknowledged that the strategic advice he provided to Lucknow Super Giants pacer Prince Yadav contributed to the bowler dismissing him for a two-ball duck during an IPL 2026 fixture. Speaking on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru podcast, the former India captain confirmed that Yadav utilised specific technical inputs shared by Kohli to secure the wicket during Lucknow’s nine-run victory at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

The dismissal occurred when Yadav bowled a ball that moved sharply from a good length, beating Kohli’s defence. Yadav had previously indicated to broadcasters that the success stemmed from a conversation between the two teams, where Kohli advised him to attack deliveries that showed movement from length rather than leaving them. Kohli validated this account, stating that he had encouraged Yadav to bowl in those specific areas and expressed no regret over the outcome.

Kohli traced the professional relationship back to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a domestic List A tournament, where he described Yadav as a “sweet guy” and “funny” personality. He explained that he began sharing bowling inputs with the pacer during that period, emphasizing that senior players have a responsibility to mentor younger cricketers to ensure the standard of Indian cricket remains high.

This approach extends beyond opposition players, with Kohli citing his interactions with Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Mohammed Siraj. He revealed that before a match against the Gujarat Titans, he spoke to Siraj on the boundary about his run-up and rhythm. Kohli stated that he wants to compete against the best versions of his opponents and views helping struggling players as an opportunity to elevate the overall quality of the game.

Reflecting on the potential for Yashasvi Jaiswal, a batter for the Rajasthan Royals, to seek his guidance, Kohli argued that helping rivals improve benefits Indian cricket as a whole. He noted that while Jaiswal might score runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the long-term gain for the national team outweighs the short-term tactical disadvantage in a single match.