Liam Livingstone Talks About Playing with Virat Kohli
Liam Livingstone, a former player for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), recently shared insights about his time alongside cricket star Virat Kohli. He noted that Kohli’s personality off the field is very different from his competitive nature on it. Livingstone was part of the RCB team that won the IPL title in 2025.
In an interview on The Overlap Cricket YouTube channel, the England cricketer expressed admiration for Kohli’s dual nature. “He was amazing. I’d always played against Virat, and he’s always laughing,” Livingstone explained. He mentioned that while Kohli can be fierce during matches, he is a friendly and relaxed person outside of cricket.
Livingstone described Kohli as someone who doesn’t seem to enjoy the constant attention he gets as a public figure. “He is a genuinely nice guy,” he added, emphasizing Kohli’s preference for a simple life in India away from the spotlight.
Kohli’s competitive spirit on the field is still unmatched, Livingstone said, calling him the most competitive player he’s seen. In recent years, Kohli has chosen to keep a low profile, primarily living in London with his family, including his wife Anushka Sharma and their children. He only travels back to India for specific cricket events and personal commitments.
A New Approach for Kohli
Livingstone also praised the RCB management for helping Kohli adopt a more aggressive playing style, especially during the powerplay overs. Traditionally, Kohli was known for being a steady player in T20 matches, but he changed his approach starting from the 2024 season. In the latest IPL season, he scored an impressive 675 runs at a strike rate of 165.84—considerably higher than his career average.
This new style saw Kohli taking more chances and being more aggressive against bowlers, particularly during the powerplays. “Mo [Bobat] and Andy [Flower] went in and changed the way he played. They were brave enough to do that,” Livingstone said.
Kohli has also been encouraged to hit more sixes and maintain his aggressive mindset throughout the game. Livingstone noted that even Kohli’s ability to play tricky spin bowlers has improved, showing a clear evolution in his game.
In other news, Virat Kohli will miss the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, set to begin on May 14. He is expected to return for the senior national team during their ODI series in England in July.
This reflects Livingstone’s view of Kohli as a complex yet relatable figure—someone who balances intense competitiveness with a desire for a normal family life.
