Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their preparations for the Indian Premier League 2026 with an intense intra-squad practice match, where Virat Kohli and several key batters displayed aggressive intent ahead of the season opener.
The defending champions held their first practice game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, with players split into two teams led by Krunal Pandya and Venkatesh Iyer.
Kohli sets the tone with attacking knock
Virat Kohli looked in fine touch, scoring a brisk 29 off just 12 deliveries. His fluent strokeplay and intent stood out, providing an early boost for the side.
Krunal Pandya praised Kohli’s approach, noting that the senior batter’s rhythm and shot selection were a positive sign for the team heading into the tournament.
Jitesh Sharma steals the spotlight
While Kohli impressed, it was Jitesh Sharma who emerged as the standout performer in the practice game.
The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 81 runs off just 37 balls, showcasing his finishing ability and reinforcing his importance in RCB’s middle order for the upcoming season.
Power-hitting on display
RCB’s batting unit looked in strong form overall, with Tim David hammering 36 off 14 balls and Venkatesh Iyer contributing a quick 30 off 16 deliveries.
The team management is still evaluating the best role for Venkatesh Iyer, given his versatility as an all-rounder in T20 cricket.
Bowlers also make an impact
Despite the batters dominating, the bowlers also had their moments. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was among those who impressed with the ball, alongside promising names like Abhinandan Singh and Mangesh Yadav.
Title defence begins soon
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at home.
The team will play their first two matches in Bengaluru before travelling to face Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians in subsequent fixtures.
Looking to build on historic win
RCB enter the new season as defending champions after defeating Punjab Kings in a dominant final in IPL 2025.
With several players showing strong form in the early practice sessions, the franchise will be confident of mounting another successful campaign.
Conclusion
RCB’s first practice outing offered encouraging signs, particularly with their key batters finding form early. If these performances translate into match situations, the defending champions could once again be a formidable force in IPL 2026.