Virat Kohli, the face and heartbeat of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, arrived in Bengaluru to join the RCB camp for the IPL 2026. RCB, who are the defending champions, will play in the IPL 2026 tournament opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Bengaluru on March 28.

Kohli was essential to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 title win. He scored 657 runs at a strike rate of 144.71 and an incredible average of 54.75, including eight fifties. As Bengaluru strives to defend their IPL title, Kohli will be trying to maintain that form.

Rajat Patidar emerged as an unlikely hero to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first IPL title last season, ending an 18-year wait. Now, the challenge is to do it all over again.

Kohli was seen arriving in Bengaluru at the airport and even RCB shared a video teasing his arrival in the city before the IPL 2026.

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For Kohli, who had already won his first T20 World Cup in 2024 before retiring from T20Is and Tests, the previous season was just another chapter in his incredible run.

Kohli doesn't appear to be slowing down at the age of 37. Not only were his results outstanding for his age last IPL season, they were exceptional by any measure. He can anchor an innings or accelerate at will, making him one of the format's most complete hitters. Having Kohli at the top is as comforting as it gets for a side looking to defend its title.