Royal Challengers Bengaluru are all set to begin their IPL 2026 title defence as the 19th season of the tournament kicks off on March 28. Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, RCB finally ended their long-standing title drought last season, clinching their maiden IPL trophy with a thrilling win over Punjab Kings in a high-scoring final.
The victory not only marked a historic milestone for the franchise but also shifted the narrative around a team often labelled as underachievers. RCB legend AB de Villiers believes that breaking that psychological barrier could be a turning point for the franchise.
Having witnessed the emotional triumph firsthand at the Narendra Modi Stadium alongside Virat Kohli, de Villiers feels the team now carries the belief needed to dominate future seasons. Kohli’s emotional reaction after the final ball summed up years of near-misses and pent-up expectations finally being released.
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With Virat Kohli now focusing solely on one format after stepping away from Tests and T20Is, there have been murmurs about whether he might take time to find rhythm. AB de Villiers, however, dismissed those concerns outright. “First of all, he has the best work ethic I have ever seen in my life,” he said on JioHotstar, backing Kohli’s preparation and professionalism.
He further added, “So, he will not enter the tournament undercooked. If he doesn’t perform, it will purely be down to form or perhaps a technical issue.” De Villiers expects Kohli to return refreshed and highly motivated after a well-earned break, hinting at another impactful IPL season.
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Looking ahead, De Villiers is confident RCB could build a legacy of sustained success. “Virat will most definitely be ready, there is no doubt about that, and RCB can actually go back-to-back,” he said. He also recalled Kohli’s belief in the dressing room: “If we can win one, we are going to win two, three, four quickly.”
RCB will open their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad, aiming for a strong start to fuel another title push.
