It is well known that Virat Kohli grew up idolising Sachin Tendulkar. For many Indian cricket fans, Kohli’s rise ensured a seamless transition after Tendulkar’s retirement, filling what could have been an irreplaceable void in the batting line-up.
However, until now, Kohli had not elaborated in detail on what specific aspect of Tendulkar’s game he most admired. That changed on Friday when his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), posed a direct question to him in a video shared on social media.
Asked what he would most like to absorb from the Master Blaster’s career, Kohli’s response was instant and emphatic.
“Everything,” he said with a smile, before singling out one particular skill. “One thing I would like to have… the lap shot. He is the first one to have started to lap the spinners so precisely. It was smooth, never looked rushed. I am a mess playing those shots. So yeah, the smooth lap.”
The lap shot admiration
The lap shot, particularly against spinners, became one of Tendulkar’s most elegant and effective scoring options in the latter part of his career. Played fine behind square on the leg side, it required impeccable balance, timing and control — qualities that defined Tendulkar’s batting.
Kohli’s candid admission that he struggles with the stroke offered fans a rare glimpse into the humility of one of modern cricket’s most accomplished batters. Despite having scored over 25,000 international runs across formats, Kohli acknowledged there are still elements of the game he would like to master.
The comment also sparked conversations among fans about how the evolution of white-ball cricket has made innovation against spinners essential, particularly in T20 leagues like the IPL.
Qualities admired beyond cricket
Kohli was also asked about personal traits he admired in other public figures. His answers reflected a blend of sporting excellence, mental strength and personal values.
He said he would like to imbibe MS Dhoni’s sense of contentment, referring to the former India captain’s calm demeanour under pressure and composed leadership style.
From Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh KhanKohli said he admired humility — a quality that has helped the actor maintain enduring popularity despite decades in the spotlight.
He also cited Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo for his discipline, widely regarded as a cornerstone of Ronaldo’s longevity and physical excellence at the highest level of sport.
Break before IPL return
Kohli is currently on a brief break from competitive cricket as India participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Having retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, he has been focusing primarily on One-Day Internationals in recent months.
He was in regular action earlier, featuring in multiple ODI series and representing Delhi in the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy. The break has allowed him time with his family ahead of the demanding IPL season.
Kohli is expected to return to action when the 2026 IPL begins in late March. RCB enter the season as defending champions after clinching their maiden title last year.
Challenges for RCB
While RCB have strengthened their squad in the 2026 auction, the franchise is also navigating off-field challenges. An impending ownership change has created uncertainty around the management structure.
Additionally, the team continues to deal with the aftermath of a tragic stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during their 2025 victory parade, which claimed the lives of 11 fans. The incident cast a sombre shadow over what was otherwise a historic triumph for the franchise.
As the new IPL season approaches, Kohli’s remarks on Tendulkar serve as a reminder that even the greatest players remain students of the game. For fans, the prospect of Kohli perfecting the lap shot in the upcoming season adds yet another layer of intrigue to an already eagerly awaited tournament.
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