IPL | Kohli has a long stint as RCB begins training

Virat Kohli was the star attraction in defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first training session ahead of IPL 2026. Kohli, the long-serving RCB batter, was all business at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old started the session with a pep talk to his teammates gathered in a circle, with head coach Andy Flower by his side. The former India captain then got into the thick of things with an hour-long batting stint.

Facing Venkatesh Iyer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the spinners group led by Krunal Pandya, Kohli took an aggressive approach. Some shots made sweet connection, with the ball sailing deep into the mid-wicket stands.

In the backdrop of uncertainty with international flights due to the conflict in the Middle East, England’s Jordan Cox was the only foreign player in attendance. Cox, an attacking top-order batter, engaged in a long chat with Kohli before the latter wielded the willow.

Rajat Patidar, who led RCB to its maiden IPL title last season, was not present. Batting coach Dinesh Karthik and left-arm pacer Yash Dayal were the other notable absentees.

Karnataka southpaw Devdutt Padikkal, fresh from a good campaign in the Ranji Trophy, was paired with Kohli in the batting net. Almost immediately after the duo took the pads off to wind down, the session came to a halt due to rain.

The evening held extra significance as normalcy returned to the stadium, which has been sidelined since the stampede which claimed 11 lives in June last year.

After months of speculation and suspense, the iconic stadium finally received the nod to host IPL 2026 matches from the office of the State Home Minister, G. Parameshwara.

High-level cricket action is set to return to the stadium on March 28, when RCB takes on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match of IPL 2026.