Virat Kohli is known around the world for his aggressive batting and intense presence on the cricket field. However, during IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Romario Shepherd shared a different side of the star player.
Shepherd revealed that Kohli is not only focused and competitive on the field but also very funny and relaxed when the team is away from the match situation.
Shepherd Talks About Kohli’s Personality Off the Field
Romario Shepherd explained that Virat Kohli’s personality changes once he steps away from the field.
According to Shepherd, Kohli becomes very serious during practice sessions and matches. He focuses completely on the game and pushes himself and the team to perform better.
But outside the game environment, Kohli behaves very differently.
Shepherd said he was surprised to see how funny Kohli is during everyday moments in the team camp.
He shared that Kohli often jokes with teammates and creates a friendly atmosphere in the dressing room.
Shepherd said he did not expect Kohli to be this humorous when he first joined the squad.
Kohli’s Connection With Fans
Shepherd also mentioned that Kohli has a strong connection with fans during matches and training sessions.
He noticed that Kohli regularly interacts with people around the stadium and responds to the crowd’s energy.
This ability to connect with supporters adds excitement around the team and creates a lively environment in the camp.
For many young players in the squad, seeing Kohli interact with fans and teammates is a valuable experience.
RCB Dressing Room: Experience Meets Young Talent
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad in IPL 2026 includes a mix of experienced international players and young talents.
Virat Kohli remains one of the senior figures in the team. Along with him, players like Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar help guide younger teammates.
These senior players share their experience during training and matches, helping the younger players learn and grow.
Shepherd described the dressing room atmosphere as supportive and friendly.
A recent example of the team’s fun environment came during a training session when Kohli jokingly copied Shepherd’s batting style in the nets. The moment made many teammates laugh and showed the lighter side of the dressing room.
Such moments help players relax and build strong team relationships.
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Importance of Team Bonding
According to Shepherd, these small moments of fun and laughter play an important role in team bonding.
Cricket tournaments like the IPL keep players away from home for long periods. Because of that, a positive dressing room environment helps players stay motivated and comfortable.
Shepherd described the RCB squad as a great group of players who support each other both on and off the field.
Romario Shepherd’s Role in IPL 2026
So far in IPL 2026, Romario Shepherd has mostly contributed with the ball rather than the bat.
In the previous IPL season, he played eight matches and scored 70 runs with a very high strike rate of 291.67. He also took six wickets during that campaign.
In IPL 2026, Shepherd is batting lower in the order, usually around number seven. Because of this position, he has not yet had the chance to bat in the matches he has played this season.
However, he has already made an impact with the ball.
In the opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Shepherd took three wickets and played a key role in the bowling attack.
In the following match against Chennai Super Kings, he bowled one over but did not take a wicket.
Romario Shepherd IPL Performance Snapshot
| Season | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate | Wickets | Bowling Overs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 70 | 291.67 | 6 | N/A | Part of RCB’s title-winning squad |
| IPL 2026 (so far) | 2 | 0 | N/A | 3 | 5 overs | 3 wickets vs SRH, wicketless vs CSK |
RCB’s Squad Balance in IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered IPL 2026 as the defending champions.
The team has built a balanced squad that includes experienced leaders and promising young players.
Senior players help guide the team during difficult situations, while younger players bring energy and enthusiasm.
Shepherd believes this balance has helped create a strong team environment where everyone supports each other.
Romario Shepherd’s early performances in IPL 2026 show that he can be an important bowling option for RCB.
If the team requires extra power hitting in the lower order, he may also get more opportunities with the bat later in the tournament.
His comments about Virat Kohli also highlight the strong team culture inside the RCB camp.
While Kohli remains intense and competitive on the field, his relaxed and humorous personality off the field continues to bring the team closer together.
