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The countdown to IPL 2026 has officially begun, and if the latest footage from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp is anything to go by, Virat Kohli is not just ready—he’s evolved.
As the defending champions gathered at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this week, all eyes were on the man with the number 18 on his back. Lotus365 A video shared by the franchise has since gone viral, showing Kohli dismantling bowlers with a series of “stunning aerial hits” that have sent fans into a frenzy.
A New Chapter: Fearless and Focused
Coming off a monumental 2025 season where RCB finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy, many wondered if Kohli would take a step back. Instead, the “King” appears to be playing with a newfound freedom.
In the nets, Kohli was seen repeatedly clearing the midwicket and long-on boundaries with effortless lofted strokes. Unlike the cautious starts sometimes seen in previous years, this version of Kohli looks intent on maximizing the powerplay and utilizing his aerial range against both pace and spin.
Watch the intensity here: (Note: Fans can find the official clip on RCB’s X and Instagram handles, where Kohli is seen taking on the likes of Krunal Pandya and new recruit Bhuvneshwar Kumar.)
Chasing History: The Road to 9,000 and 10,000
While the team goal is a historic back-to-back title, Kohli is on the verge of individual milestones that would cement his status as the greatest to ever play the league:
- The 9,000-Run Landmark: Currently sitting at 8,661 runs in 267 matches, Kohli is just 339 runs away from becoming the first player in history to reach 9,000 IPL runs.
- The One-Team Legend: Having amassed over 9,000 runs for RCB across the IPL and the now-defunct Champions League T20, he is within touching distance of becoming the first player to score 10,000 runs for a single T20 franchise.
The RCB Camp Atmosphere
The atmosphere in Bengaluru is electric, though tempered by a sense of serious business. Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar and the watchful eye of head coach Andy Flower, the squad looks balanced.
A highlight of the training session was the high-quality contest between Kohli and veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In one particular sequence, Bhuvneshwar nearly cleaned up Kohli with a trademark lethal yorker, only for Kohli to respond a few balls later by dancing down the track and launching a massive six.
What’s Next for the Defending Champions?
RCB is scheduled to kick off their title defense in a high-octane season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
With stars like Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, and Josh Hazlewood forming a formidable core, and Kohli appearing to be in “red-hot” form following his recent international centuries against New Zealand and South Africa, the Bengaluru faithful have every reason to believe that another “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” (This year the cup is ours) might actually turn into “Motte Sala Cup Namdu” (The cup is ours again).
Final Word: Virat Kohli isn’t just practicing; he’s making a statement. The aggression, the timing, and the willingness to take the aerial route suggest that IPL 2026 might see the most dangerous version of Virat Kohli yet.
Are you ready for the King’s return? Let us know your predictions for Kohli’s run tally this season in the comments!
