Kohli was RCB's leading run-getter last year, scoring 657 runs when the franchise landed its maiden IPL trophy
As defending champions RCB host SRH, the focus extends beyond cricket, with the league's 19th edition starting under a sombre backdrop even as it promises two months of high-octane action.
Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli leads the list of highest run scorers in IPL with 8,661 runs, while David Warner, with 6,565 runs, leads the table for overseas batters
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener of IPL 2026 on March 28
Their experience under pressure, leadership skills, and ability to guide younger teammates make them invaluable. Here's a look at the top five oldest players set to feature in IPL 2026.
Addressing the squad during their first practice session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli underlined the need to maintain the intensity that brought them the title last year
Kohli remains a vital cog in the RCB set-up and they will look to defend their maiden title which they won last season after a long wait of 18 years
From blockbuster player moves to legendary returns and defending champions looking to prove a point, there is no shortage of reasons for fans to be excited.
Kohli had announced his retirement from the shortest format after guiding India to a drought ending ICC title in Barbados back in June 2024.
RCB will enter the upcoming IPL as defending champions, having won their maiden title last season after a long wait of 18 years.
Farhan broke Virat Kohli's record of 319 runs, which he set during the 2014 T20 World Cup
Former India skippers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma downgraded to Grade B in BCCI Annual Central contracts
The former captain was clear that if a player continues to perform and remains fit, there should be no ambiguity over selection, regardless of age
The Indian cricket star's Instagram account briefly showed error messages on Friday morning, sparking panic and memes online, before being restored within hours
His hundred came in just 91 deliveries which consisted of him switching gears at times to try and stable things for the side.
This is the 11th time Kohli has held the top ODI batting ranking. He first reached the summit in October 2013 and has now spent a cumulative 825 days at No. 1, the most by any Indian batter
Both India and New Zealand have made one change in their playing 11 for the second match
Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Match for his masterly knock which set up India's successful chase of a stiff 301-run target vs NZ in Vadodara
Kohli missed the chance of scoring his 85th international ton after being dismissed seven short of the three-digit mark against New Zealand
Sachin Tendulkar, with a total of 34,357 international runs (runs in Tests, ODIs and T20Is combined), is the only batter ahead of Kohli on the list