The legend is back. For the first time since the ODI series against New Zealand, Virat Kohli is seen dominating with the bat in hand. The IPL countdown has begun and one familiar sight is already getting fans excited again. Kohli in the nets, in his full gear, knocking the ball with might and the sound of his willow. He trained with Gujarat Titans (GT) assistant coach Naeem Amin. Amin helped Kohli after he made his return after months of hiatus in 2025 as well.
With the 2026 season just weeks away, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) talisman has begun his preparations in the UK, sharing glimpses of an intense batting session that instantly caught the attention of fans. In a short video posted on Instagram, Kohli can be seen striking the ball cleanly during an indoor practice session, looking sharp ahead of another IPL campaign.
He kept the caption simple: “IPL 2026 ⏳.” For RCB supporters, that was more than enough.
Kohli returns as RCB look to defend their crown
In all likelihood, the upcoming IPL season begins on March 28 in Bengaluru, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the opening match.
Last year’s title run finally ended RCB’s long wait for the trophy. Under captain Rajat Patidar, the franchise lifted its first IPL crown by defeating Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Kohli played a massive role in that triumph. The former RCB skipper finished the season as the team’s leading run-scorer, piling up 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71. His eight half-centuries all came in victories, underlining how often he set the tone for RCB’s campaign.
Even after stepping away from T20 internationals a couple of years ago, Kohli’s appetite for the format clearly hasn’t faded. He dominated the ODIs recently against South Africa and New Zealand. The 36-year-old remains the highest run-scorer in IPL history with 8,661 runs in 267 matches. His record also includes 63 fifties and eight centuries, numbers that highlight both longevity and dominance in the league.
Across the IPL landscape, preparation camps are already underway. Punjab Kings trained in Abu Dhabi, Rajasthan Royals held sessions in Nagpur, Gujarat Titans worked out in Udaipur, while Chennai Super Kings have begun preparations in Chennai.
