Virat Kohli, RCB return to M Chinnaswamy for first training session: Who did what?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru returned to M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for IPL 2026 training, with Virat Kohli in focus as he impressed in nets. Some key players were absent, while rain cut practice short.
The team faces Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, and their fan-favourite ‘Unbox’ event has been cancelled due to scheduling constraints.
BENGALURU: Nine months after a homecoming that ended in tragedy, Royal Challengers Bengaluru returned to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, beginning preparations for the Indian Premier League, which begins here on March 28. A small but vocal group of fans gathered outside the stadium to welcome the players as the RCB contingent arrived around 4. 30 pm.
The session lasted two hours before rain forced an early wrap at 6. 30 pm. The spotlight, unsurprisingly, was on Virat Kohli.
The former captain looked in rhythm right away as the session opened with a team huddle, where Kohli and head coach Andy Flower addressed a partially assembled squad. 129671644 Skipper Rajat Patidar was the most notable absentee and is expected to join on Thursday. Batting coach Dinesh Karthik was also missing, while left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, retained for Rs 5 crore and facing criminal charges, was also absent.