Royal Challengers Bengaluru have begun preparations for IPL 2026 with Virat Kohli arriving in Bengaluru ahead of the new season. The franchise shared a special video on social media to celebrate his arrival, creating excitement among fans before the tournament begins.
Kohli played a major role in RCB’s historic title-winning campaign last season, and his return has added energy to the team camp.
King Kohli arrived in Bengaluru at 4 a.m. for IPL 2026.
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) March 18, 2026
Virat Kohli is back — ready to roar, dominate, and rule the season. 👑 pic.twitter.com/2SWNA8Hryl
Virat Kohli’s Performance in IPL 2025
Virat Kohli was one of the key performers for Royal Challengers Bengaluru during their successful IPL 2025 campaign.
He scored consistently throughout the tournament and helped the team win their first IPL title.
Virat Kohli IPL 2025 Statistics
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs | 657 |
| Batting Average | 54.75 |
| Strike Rate | 144.71 |
His performances at the top of the order provided strong starts for the team and played an important role in their championship run.
RCB Release Special Video for Kohli
Royal Challengers Bengaluru released a special video showing Kohli’s arrival in the city. The clip used the famous background music from the Kannada film KGF, which added a dramatic touch to the moment.
The video quickly gained attention among fans and was shared widely on social media. It highlighted Kohli’s connection with the franchise and his return as part of the defending champions.
Also See : How Suryakumar Yadav Became India’s T20I Captain: Rohit Sharma and Team Management Made the Call
RCB Aim to Defend Their IPL Title
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter IPL 2026 as defending champions. The team is led by Rajat Patidar, who guided the franchise to its first IPL title last season after many years of waiting.
Kohli will again play an important role in the batting lineup. His experience and consistency remain key strengths for the team as they try to defend the trophy.
In recent years, Kohli has reduced his international workload. After India’s T20 World Cup win in 2024, he stepped away from T20 internationals and later retired from Test cricket during IPL 2025.
Now he focuses mainly on ODIs and the IPL.
Hazlewood May Miss Early Matches
While Kohli’s return is good news for RCB, the team may miss Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood in the early part of the tournament.
Hazlewood is still recovering from injuries that included a hamstring problem and an Achilles issue. Because of these injuries, he also missed the Ashes series in 2025–26.
Last season he was one of RCB’s most effective bowlers.
Josh Hazlewood IPL 2025 Performance
| Matches | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 22 | 8.77 |
His absence in the opening matches could affect RCB’s bowling attack until he returns to full fitness.
Cricket Returns to Chinnaswamy Stadium
The IPL will also mark the return of major cricket matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Following RCB’s title celebrations last year, a tragic stampede occurred outside the stadium which resulted in casualties. As a result, cricket events were temporarily halted and the Ranji Trophy final was moved to another venue.
Authorities have now allowed matches to resume under strict safety measures. The stadium will operate with a crowd limit of around 35,000 spectators and improved safety checks.
RCB Fixtures at the Start of IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have several important matches early in the season.
RCB IPL 2026 Schedule (Early Matches)
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 28 | RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM IST |
| April 5 | RCB vs Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM IST |
| April 10 | Rajasthan Royals vs RCB | Guwahati | 7:30 PM IST |
| April 12 | Mumbai Indians vs RCB | Mumbai | 7:30 PM IST |
These fixtures will set the tone for RCB’s campaign as they begin their title defense.
With Virat Kohli back in the squad and Rajat Patidar leading the team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will aim to maintain their winning momentum.
Fans will be watching closely to see if the team can repeat last year’s success and build another strong campaign.
The return of cricket to Chinnaswamy Stadium and the presence of key players like Kohli will make the start of IPL 2026 an exciting moment for RCB supporters.
