Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Virat Kohli was spotted bowling to fellow opener Phil Salt in the nets ahead of the team’s IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday (March 28).
Kohli and Salt have formed a formidable pair, with their partnership playing a pivotal role in RCB’s maiden IPL title win last season.
As RCB gear up to defend the title, Kohli was seen delivering both full-length and short-pitched balls to help Salt prepare for the challenge ahead.
Here’s the viral video:
In 13 innings together during the 2025 season, Kohli and Salt accumulated 565 runs. The highlight of their impressive performance was a 95-run opening stand in just 8.3 overs against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which helped RCB chase down 175.
The duo also shared a 92-run opening partnership against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), leading to a nine-wicket win.
Phil Salt will enter the IPL 2026 season on the back of a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, where he managed just 130 runs in 8 innings at an average of 16.25 for England.
However, RCB’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat recently dismissed concerns regarding his form, confirming Salt will continue to open alongside Virat Kohli for the defending IPL champions.
“Someone like Phil Salt is still ranked in one of the top. Not recently, but the top two or three T20 batters in the world. So there is enough depth of confidence there. He also really enjoys being with RCB, his partnership with Virat," Bobat said.
