The "King" is back, and he’s playing with the kind of freedom that only a defending champion can afford.
Ahead of the IPL 2026 season opener on March 28, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans have been treated to a sights-and-sounds spectacular from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. A viral video released by the franchise shows Virat Kohli—fresh off leading RCB to their historic maiden title in 2025—unleashing a series of breathtaking aerial hits that suggest he is ready to take his game to a whole new level of "fearlessness."
The "Monkey" is Off the Back
For 17 years, the narrative around Kohli and RCB was defined by the elusive search for a trophy. After finally lifting the silverware last season in Ahmedabad against Punjab Kings, Kohli seems to have shed the weight of expectation.
In the latest training clips, the 37-year-old isn't just "finding his timing"; he is dominating. Special focus was seen on his aerial game—specifically the lofted drive over extra-cover and the authoritative pull over mid-wicket. These aren't just practice shots; they are a statement of intent for the upcoming season.
A Battle of Titans: Kohli vs. Bhuvneshwar
The practice session wasn't all one-way traffic. In a fascinating "match-within-a-match," Kohli faced off against RCB’s veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
The Yorker: One clip that sent social media into a frenzy showed Bhuvneshwar rattling Kohli with a trademark searing yorker that nearly knocked over the stumps.
The Response: Not to be outdone, Kohli responded shortly after by dancing down the track and lofting the experienced pacer for a massive six, a clear indication that his reflexes remain as sharp as ever.
Chasing History in 2026
While the team is focused on their title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kohli has several personal milestones within touching distance this season:
The 9,000 Run Mark: Currently sitting at 8,661 IPL runs, Kohli is poised to become the first player in history to reach the 9,000-run milestone.
The 10,000 Club for RCB: Across all T20 competitions (IPL and the former CLT20), Kohli has 9,085 runs for Bengaluru. He is just one stellar season away from becoming the first player to score 10,000 runs for a single T20 franchise.
Global Dominance: With 13,543 T20 runs overall, he is closing in on the 14,000-run club, looking to join legends like Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard.
The Defending Champions' New Look
RCB enters 2026 with a balanced squad that blends the wisdom of Kohli and Bhuvneshwar with the explosive energy of new signings like Jordan Cox and the reliability of Krunal Pandya. Lotus365 Lotus365 Under the watchful eye of head coach Andy Flower and batting coach Dinesh Karthik, the camp looks more relaxed yet more professional than ever before.
As the lights go up at the Chinnaswamy on March 28, all eyes will be on the man in the No. 18 jersey. If these training videos are anything to go by, the "King" is not just looking to participate—he’s looking to conquer.
Watch the full video of Virat's net session on RCB's official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
What do you think? Will Virat Kohli be the first to 10,000 runs for a single team this year? Let us know in the comments!
