T20 World Cup
Star Indian batter Virat Kohli has begun preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season, with videos of the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain training in the nets going viral across social media platforms.
Kohli shared a reel on Instagram showing glimpses of his intense training session as he focuses on batting ahead of the new IPL season. The clip quickly gained attention among fans, who filled the comment section with excitement as anticipation builds for the tournament.
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The right-handed batter remains one of the most successful players in IPL history. Kohli has scored 8,661 runs in 267 matches and 259 innings in the tournament, maintaining an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 132.85. Over the years, he has registered eight centuries and 63 half-centuries, making him one of the most consistent performers in the league.
Kohli also enjoyed an outstanding season in the 2025 edition of the IPL. The veteran batter scored 657 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.75, playing a crucial role in helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru secure their first-ever IPL title. During the season, he struck eight half-centuries and maintained an impressive strike rate of 144.71.
The previous season ended with a historic victory for the Bengaluru franchise, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the final held in Ahmedabad to lift their maiden IPL trophy.
Meanwhile, broadcaster Star Sports confirmed on March 8 that the IPL 2026 season will officially begin on March 28. However, the full schedule for the tournament has not yet been released by the IPL authorities.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter the upcoming season as defending champions. The team will once again rely on Kohli’s experience and batting strength as they aim to retain the title.
Earlier this month, Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary Santosh Menon confirmed that the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will host five of RCB’s home matches during the IPL 2026 season. The iconic venue will also stage the final of the tournament along with one of the playoff matches.
However, not all of RCB’s home games will take place in Bengaluru. The franchise will play two of its home matches at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Cricket activities at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium had been suspended since June last year following a tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 title celebration. The incident resulted in the deaths of 11 people while several others were injured.
Due to the suspension, the stadium missed out on hosting matches during the ICC Women’s World Cup and also did not receive any fixtures for the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup. Domestic and state franchise tournaments were also affected by the restrictions placed on the venue.
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