New Delhi: Veteran cricketer Virat Kohli looked in a superb touch during his first net session with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of the Indian
Premier League (IPL) 2026. The 19th edition of the cash-rich league will begin on March 28 and defending champions RCB will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the season-opening clash at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.
On Thursday, pictures and videos of Kohli in the nets circulated on social media after the cricketing megastar arrived in Bengaluru on March 18. As visible in the videos, the RCB veteran was seen hitting big shots against the bowlers looking in complete control of the game. Kohli looked totally charged up as he went for the big hits right from the beginning ending the first net session flawlessly.
He also stayed till long at the crease which showcases his intention and plans for the upcoming season where RCB would be aiming to defend their title.
Kohli’s videos from net session
Wtf is Virat Kohli cooking in nets. Man is Dealing only in sixes 😭😭
Someone really said, 2026 is the new 2016. pic.twitter.com/rSBD0HUkmc
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) March 18, 2026
Virat Kohli facing Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Dar, and Venkatesh Iyer during a practice session at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Venkatesh Iyer’s bowling was very impressive. pic.twitter.com/RM6RRYNBcn
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) March 19, 2026
Apart from the former Indian captain, the other big names from the franchise were also present for the net session ahead of the season. Krunal Pandya, Devdutt Padikkal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were involved in the proceedings with skipper Rajat Patidar yet to join the squad. In the last season, Kohli scored 657 runs from 15 matches including eight half-centuries at an impressive strike rate.
The veteran player would be aiming to continue his brilliant form in this season as well. Apart from the cash-rich league, Kohli plays in just the ODI format after having retired from the Tests as well as T20Is.
