Virat Kohli and Phil Salt's Explosive Partnership Powers Royal Challengers Bengaluru to IPL Success Virat Kohli and Phil Salt have emerged as one of the most formidable opening pairs in the Indian Premier League, with their dynamic partnership playing a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s historic first title win last season. The duo’s chemistry was on full display during a recent net session, where Kohli bowled to Salt ahead of the team’s IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Their ability to dominate matches has been a key factor in RCB’s rise to the top of the league. Kohli and Salt’s partnership has yielded impressive results throughout the season. In 13 innings together, they have accumulated 565 runs, showcasing their consistency and ability to adapt to different conditions. One of their standout performances came against the Kolkata Knight Riders, where they posted a 95-run partnership in under nine overs while chasing 175. Salt scored 56, while Kohli remained unbeaten on 59, demonstrating their capacity to build momentum under pressure. Another notable display came against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, where the duo contributed a 92-run opening partnership in a nine-wicket victory. Salt’s aggressive approach was evident as he smashed 65 runs, while Kohli maintained his composure with an unbeaten 62. These performances have solidified their status as a reliable opening pair, capable of steering RCB to victory in high-stakes encounters. Despite Salt’s underwhelming T20 World Cup campaign, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Director of Cricket Mo Bobat has expressed confidence in the player’s abilities. Bobat emphasized that Salt remains one of the top T20 batters globally, citing his consistent performance in the IPL and his strong rapport with Kohli.#ipl_2026 #virat_kohli #royal_challengers_bengaluru #mo_bobat #phil_salt
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Seek Redemption at Home After IPL 2025 Struggles Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending IPL champions, are returning to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium this season with a renewed focus on reclaiming their home dominance. However, the team faces the challenge of overcoming a disappointing record from last season, where they secured just two wins in seven home matches. Despite the passionate support of their fans, the franchise struggled to replicate their title-winning form in familiar conditions, losing four games and having one match abandoned due to weather. RCB’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings at home but emphasized the intangible advantages of playing in Bengaluru. “It hasn’t always been the fortress we’d like it to be, and we’re honest about that,” he said. “But there’s something special about playing here.” Bobat highlighted the team’s ability to adapt, noting that they learned from their early-season struggles and aim to start the 2026 campaign with the same momentum that carried them to their first IPL title. The victory in 2025, while celebrated, was tinged with mixed emotions for the team. Bobat reflected on the significance of the win, particularly given the 17-year journey to achieve it. “That title meant a lot,” he said. “Franchise cricket moves quickly, but when you’ve been chasing something for 17 years, it carries weight.” He also praised the emotional impact of the win, especially with key players like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers contributing to the historic moment. For the 2026 season, RCB faces a dual challenge: improving their home record while managing two “home” fixtures in Raipur, a backup venue.#ipl_2026 #royal_challengers_bengaluru #m_chinnaswamy_stadium #mo_bobat #rajesh_menon
"Congested schedule": Mo Bobat flags busy calendar for IPL 2026 injury concerns The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is facing a significant challenge as multiple fast bowlers from top franchises are expected to miss the opening phase of the tournament due to injuries. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be without their pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood, while other key players such as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Ellis are also sidelined. RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, has highlighted the impact of an increasingly packed cricket calendar, which he believes is contributing to the injury crisis. Bobat emphasized that the congested schedule is a growing concern for teams and players alike. “Any of us who follow cricket know how challenging that is,” he said at a press conference on March 24. “It’s not ideal, both on a domestic and international level.” He acknowledged the difficulty of managing player availability in such a demanding environment, noting that teams losing key players late in preparations face significant planning challenges. The situation has raised concerns about the sustainability of the current cricket calendar, which sees players competing in multiple formats and international fixtures throughout the year. Bobat stressed the importance of maintaining open communication with international cricket bodies and medical teams to mitigate risks. “We try and control the controllables as much as we can,” he said. “Having strong relationships with organizations like Cricket Australia has been crucial in managing these situations.” RCB’s medical team, along with collaboration with global cricket authorities, has played a vital role in addressing player injuries. However, Bobat admitted there is no immediate solution to the problem of a packed schedule.#royal_challengers_bengaluru #pat_cummins #mitchell_starc #josh_hazlewood #mo_bobat
RCB Confirm Rape-Accused Yash Dayal Will Not Play IPL 2026, But Still Under Contract Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have confirmed that left-arm pacer Yash Dayal will not be part of the squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, despite remaining under contract with the franchise. The decision came after Dayal’s absence from team training sessions ahead of the new campaign sparked speculation about his exclusion. RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat clarified that Dayal’s non-participation is due to a "personal situation" and ongoing legal proceedings tied to multiple sexual assault cases. Bobat addressed reporters on Tuesday, stating, "Yash will not be joining up with the squad. He is going through a personal situation currently, and we’ve been very supportive of him. We retained him when we had the opportunity to either retain or release players." The director emphasized that Dayal remains under contract and that the franchise continues to communicate with him. "It has been decided that it is not in his best interest or the franchise’s best interest for him to join up with us at this point," Bobat added. Dayal, who played a key role in RCB’s 2025 championship run by taking 13 wickets across the season, has been sidelined since last year’s final. His absence is linked to legal proceedings that have prevented him from returning to competitive cricket. The franchise’s decision to retain him under contract suggests they are not severing ties, though his future availability will depend on the resolution of his personal and legal matters. For RCB, the loss of Dayal is a significant setback. His left-arm pace added variety to the attack, complementing the experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the spin options led by Krunal Pandya.#ipl_2026 #rcb #yash_dayal #mo_bobat #indirapuram_police_station
RCB Quick Yash Dayal to Sit Out IPL 2026 Yash Dayal, the fast bowler contracted to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will not be part of the team’s squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Mo Bobat, RCB’s director of cricket, confirmed during a press conference on Tuesday that Dayal remains with the franchise but will be unavailable for the entire season. Bobat cited personal circumstances as the reason for Dayal’s absence, stating that it is not in the best interest of either the player or the franchise for him to join the squad. He did not provide further details about the situation. Dayal has not participated in any matches since the IPL 2025 final in June. His unavailability is linked to ongoing legal proceedings related to sexual assault allegations. Bobat acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that RCB had anticipated a worst-case scenario during their auction planning. “The Yash Dayal situation was tricky,” Bobat said, emphasizing the team’s preparedness for such an outcome. The absence of Dayal exacerbates a fast-bowling shortage at RCB. The team also faces the loss of Australian quick Josh Hazlewood, who is expected to miss the early part of the season as he recovers from long-term injury issues. Bobat mentioned that RCB is in communication with Cricket Australia (CA) and hopes to have Hazlewood back “very soon.” Without Dayal and Hazlewood, RCB’s fast-bowling options include experienced India spinner Bhuvneshwar Kumar, uncapped Indian pace bowlers Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, and Mangesh Yadav, as well as overseas quicks Jacob Duffy and Nuwan Thushara. The West Indies allrounder Romario Shepherd is also part of the squad. The team’s reliance on these players highlights the challenges they face in addressing their bowling depth for the upcoming season.#ipl_2026 #royal_challengers_bengaluru #cricket_australia #yash_dayal #mo_bobat
