Virat Kohli Leads Royal Challengers' IPL 2026 Training Session Virat Kohli emerged as the central figure during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s inaugural training session ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The 37-year-old veteran, a key player for the franchise, kicked off the session at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday with a motivational pep talk for his teammates, who were gathered in a circle. Head coach Andy Flower was present alongside Kohli as the former India captain set the tone for the team’s preparations. Kohli then engaged in an intense batting practice, lasting over an hour, during which he faced a mix of pace and spin bowlers. The session included deliveries from Venkatesh Iyer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and the spinners led by Krunal Pandya. His aggressive approach saw several powerful shots, with the ball frequently clearing the mid-wicket boundary. The session highlighted his continued dominance at the crease despite his age. The training day took on added significance amid ongoing uncertainties surrounding international travel due to the conflict in the Middle East. England’s Jordan Cox, the only foreign player present, joined Kohli for a lengthy conversation before the latter began his batting session. Cox, known for his attacking style in the top order, was a notable addition to the squad. Notable absences included Rajat Patidar, who led RCB to its first IPL title last year, as well as batting coach Dinesh Karthik and left-arm pacer Yash Dayal. Patidar’s absence was particularly striking given his recent success in the Ranji Trophy. Meanwhile, Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal, fresh from a strong performance in the Ranji Trophy, partnered Kohli in the batting nets. The duo’s session was cut short when rain interrupted proceedings, forcing an early halt.#virat_kohli #royal_challengers_bengaluru #m_chinnaswamy_stadium #andy_flower #krunal_pandya
IPL 2026 Schedule Announced: Royal Challengers Bangalore to Face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Tournament Opener on March 28 The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 schedule has been officially unveiled, with the tournament set to kick off on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The opening match will feature Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), marking a significant moment for both teams. The venue, a historic cricket ground in Karnataka, will host the first game of the season, drawing anticipation from fans across the country. The announcement highlights the strategic alignment of teams for the upcoming season, with RCB and SRH set to face each other in a high-stakes encounter. The match is expected to set the tone for the tournament, as both franchises aim to secure a strong start. The scheduling of the opener at Chinnaswamy Stadium underscores the importance of the venue in the IPL calendar, known for its passionate crowd and electric atmosphere. Additionally, the schedule includes details about the broader tournament structure, though specific dates for other matches were not disclosed in the initial announcement. Fans are encouraged to stay updated for further details on the fixtures. The inclusion of MS Dhoni in all matches for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has also sparked discussions, with the team’s CEO confirming his participation. Dhoni’s role in the tournament will be determined by the management, adding an extra layer of intrigue for supporters. The IPL 2026 schedule also reflects the league’s efforts to balance competitive matches with fan engagement, ensuring a mix of home and away games for all participating teams.#ipl_2026 #chennai_super_kings #sunrisers_hyderabad #m_chinnaswamy_stadium #royal_challengers_bangalore
IPL 2026 Schedule Announced: Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Open Tournament Against Sunrisers Hyderabad The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 schedule was officially announced, marking the 19th edition of the tournament. The 2026 season will feature 84 matches, a significant increase from the 74 games in the previous edition. The first phase of the tournament, spanning from March 28 to April 12, will see the opening match between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The schedule announcement came amid preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where Team India successfully defended its title. The BCCI’s secretary, Devajit Saikia, explained that the first 20-day schedule would be released within days, considering the timing of state assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The full tournament schedule will be finalized once the poll dates are confirmed. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host several matches, but these are subject to approval from a government-appointed expert committee in Karnataka. The committee will conduct an inspection and a full-scale mock demonstration of match-day arrangements on March 13, 2026, to assess the stadium’s readiness for hosting IPL matches. The first phase of the tournament includes 20 matches across 10 venues: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. Four double-headers are planned, with afternoon games starting at 03:30 PM IST and evening matches at 07:30 PM IST.#bcci #ipl_2026 #royal_challengers_bengaluru #sunrisers_hyderabad #m_chinnaswamy_stadium
RCB vs SRH to Kick Off IPL 2026 in Bengaluru on March 28 The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the reigning champions, will open the IPL 2026 season with a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The venue, which had previously faced uncertainty following a tragic stampede incident in June 2025 that claimed 11 lives during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations, has been cleared by the Karnataka government to host the tournament. However, the matches at the stadium remain contingent on approval from an expert committee appointed by the state government. The committee will conduct a site inspection and a full-scale mock demonstration of match-day operations on March 13, 2026, to evaluate the stadium’s readiness for hosting IPL matches. The second game of the opening weekend will feature Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Unlike previous seasons, the opening weekend will not include double-headers, with the IPL opting for a staggered schedule due to upcoming state elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam. These states are home grounds for KKR, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals, respectively. To accommodate the political landscape, the IPL has divided the tournament schedule into two phases. The first phase, announced on Wednesday, includes 20 matches, with four double-headers scheduled for the weekends of April 4-5 and April 11-12. All ten teams will play four matches each in the first phase, though the exact grouping of teams has not been disclosed. Historically, IPL tournaments with ten teams have been split into two virtual groups, with teams facing their group opponents twice and teams in the opposite group once. This structure will likely be followed in IPL 2026.#ipl_2026 #m_chinnaswamy_stadium #rcb #srh #karnataka_government
Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Open IPL 2026 Title Defence Against Sunrisers Hyderabad The Royal Challengers Bengaluru will begin their title defence in the 2026 Indian Premier League by facing Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The first phase of the tournament, featuring 20 matches from March 28 to April 12, was officially announced, with the remainder of the season’s schedule to be finalized after the election dates for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam are confirmed. The opening weekend will see Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium, followed by Rajasthan Royals hosting Chennai Super Kings on March 30 in Guwahati. This match will mark a reunion for Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja, who will face their former franchises after a high-profile off-season trade involving Sam Curran. The next two weekends will feature double-headers, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru playing Chennai Super Kings on April 5 in Bengaluru, and Mumbai Indians hosting RCB on April 12 in a night game. Rajasthan Royals will host all three of their home matches in this phase at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati before moving to Jaipur for their remaining fixtures. Punjab Kings will split their home games between Mullanpur and Dharamsala. RCB will play two of their home matches in Raipur, with the BCCI noting that matches in Bengaluru are subject to approval from the Expert Committee appointed by the Government of Karnataka. The committee will inspect the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 13, 2026, conducting a full-scale mock demonstration to assess its readiness for hosting IPL matches.#west_bengal #ipl_2026 #royal_challengers_bengaluru #sunrisers_hyderabad #m_chinnaswamy_stadium
