Virat Kohli Showcases Explosive Form in RCB's Pre-IPL 2026 Practice Match
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star batter Virat Kohli delivered a powerful statement ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026 season, smashing a blistering 45 runs off just 19 balls during the franchise's second intra-squad practice match in Bengaluru. This explosive performance has set a positive tone for the defending champions as they fine-tune their preparations.
Dinesh Karthik Lauds Kohli's Class and Intent
RCB mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik was effusive in his praise for the veteran batter following the practice game. In a video shared by RCB on social media, Karthik highlighted Kohli's exceptional approach and continuous evolution as a player.
"Good game today," Karthik remarked. "The class of Virat came through quite nicely up front, played some lovely shots. The greatness about Virat is that every year he comes up with a certain plan and intent. You saw how he's really upped what he wants to do. I feel this year he'll try to get even better."
Karthik further emphasized Kohli's leadership qualities and infectious energy, noting: "That tells a lot about the person he is. He's always trying to push his boundaries. And also what he brings in terms of energy to the crowd and the meetings, those are big things, and that's a big part of Virat's personality."
Kohli's Support for Teammate Phil Salt
Beyond his own batting performance, Kohli demonstrated strong team spirit by bowling to opening partner Phil Salt during practice sessions. This gesture comes at a crucial time for Salt, who has been experiencing a challenging phase in T20 cricket.
Despite Salt's recent struggles in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he managed only 130 runs across eight innings, Kohli's visible support underscores the positive team environment RCB is cultivating ahead of the new season.
RCB's Intra-Squad Match Highlights
The second practice match followed an equally impressive first intra-squad game on Monday, where several players showcased their batting prowess:
- Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma scored a dominant 81 runs off 37 balls
- Skipper Rajat Patidar smashed a rapid 74 off just 25 deliveries
- Kohli contributed a quick 29 off 12 balls in that earlier match
In the first match, the team led by Venkatesh Iyer posted 234/7, featuring contributions from Jitesh Sharma (81 off 37), Tim David (36 off 14), Iyer (30 off 16), and Kohli (29 off 12). The opposing side, led by Krunal Pandya, successfully chased the target with 247 runs, powered by standout performances from Rajat Patidar (74 off 25), Devdutt Padikkal (63 off 33), and Krunal Pandya (58 off 33).
IPL 2026 Season Opener and RCB's Schedule
The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to commence on March 28, with Sunrisers Hyderabad facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB's early fixtures include:
- vs Chennai Super Kings on April 5 in Bengaluru
- vs Rajasthan Royals on April 10 in Guwahati
- vs Mumbai Indians on April 12 in Mumbai
With Kohli displaying such promising form and intent during practice matches, combined with the strong performances from other key players, RCB appears well-positioned to defend their title in what promises to be an exciting IPL 2026 season.
