Bengaluru: Virat Kohli looked in sublime touch during a training session with Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, unleashing a series of stunning aerial shots in the nets.

The franchise shared a glimpse of Kohli’s practice session on social media, where the star batter was seen focusing on aggressive strokeplay, particularly lofted shots — a sign of intent ahead of the title defence.

X video goes viral

A short clip posted by RCB quickly went viral, showcasing Kohli’s crisp timing and effortless power-hitting. The session highlighted a more attacking approach, with the veteran batter appearing keen to add new dimensions to his game.

Fans were quick to react, with many interpreting the shift towards aerial hitting as a sign of greater freedom in his batting this season.

Freedom after title breakthrough

Kohli enters IPL 2026 with renewed confidence after finally lifting the IPL trophy in 2025, when RCB defeated Punjab Kings in the final.

Having achieved that long-awaited milestone, Kohli is expected to play with more freedom and aggression — something his net session already seems to reflect.

Records in sight for Kohli

The RCB talisman continues to rewrite record books. With 8,661 runs in 267 IPL matches, including eight centuries and 63 fifties, Kohli is on the verge of becoming the first player to cross the 9,000-run mark in IPL history.

Across all T20 competitions for RCB, including the now-defunct Champions League T20, he has amassed 9,085 runs — putting him within touching distance of another historic milestone: 10,000 runs for a single franchise.

In overall T20 cricket, Kohli has scored 13,543 runs and is closing in on the elite 14,000-run club, which includes names like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Alex Hales, and David Warner.

Strong form continues

Kohli’s consistency remains one of his biggest strengths. Last season, he scored 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, finishing as RCB’s leading run-getter.

This marked his third consecutive season with 600-plus runs, underlining his importance to the team’s batting unit.

Conclusion: Kohli sets the tone for RCB

As RCB gear up to defend their title, Kohli’s early form and intent send a strong message. His aggressive approach in the nets suggests a batter ready not just to anchor innings, but to dominate.

With milestones within reach and confidence at a high, Kohli could once again be the driving force behind RCB’s IPL 2026 campaign.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)