Royal Challengers Bengaluru have officially begun their preparations for IPL 2026, with Virat Kohli leading from the front during an intense training session at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The energy within the camp was evident from the outset, reflecting a squad determined to build on last season’s historic success.
One of the standout moments from the session came in a gripping face-off between Kohli and experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A video that quickly went viral showed Bhuvneshwar delivering a pinpoint yorker that almost breached Kohli’s defence — a clear sign that both batters and bowlers are already in competitive mode ahead of the new season.
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RCB enter IPL 2026 with a completely different mindset, having finally lifted their maiden title in 2025. Under the composed leadership of Rajat Patidar, the franchise ended years of heartbreak by defeating Punjab Kings in a thrilling final. That breakthrough has not only boosted confidence but also raised expectations, as the team now shifts focus to defending their crown.
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A crucial figure in RCB’s plans this season will once again be Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Since joining the squad, he has evolved into a dependable option in the death overs, picking up 17 wickets in 14 matches last year. While his economy rate hovered around 9.29, his knack for delivering breakthroughs at key moments has made him indispensable to the bowling unit.
However, the spotlight inevitably returns to Kohli. Despite reducing his involvement in the shortest format at the international level, the veteran batter arrives in IPL 2026 in sublime touch. Recent outings against top sides like South Africa and New Zealand saw him pile up over 500 runs, including three centuries, while adopting a noticeably more aggressive approach.
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Kohli’s influence on RCB remains unmatched. He was instrumental in their title-winning campaign, finishing as the leading run-scorer for the team with 657 runs at a strike rate of 144.71. His ability to combine consistency with controlled aggression continues to anchor the batting line-up.
As the season approaches, Kohli is also closing in on major milestones — including becoming the first player to reach 9,000 IPL runs — further underlining his enduring greatness in the league.
