King returns to protect the crown, as Kohli touches down in Bengaluru for IPL 2026
India Today
IPL 2026: The king is back. Virat Kohli has touched down in Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2026, ready to lead RCB's title defence.
Virat Kohli is back in Bengaluru. And this time, he arrives as something Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans have never seen before. A champion defending his crown.
Kohli was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title-winning campaign last season. He amassed 657 runs at a blistering strike rate of 144.71 and an average of 54.75, with eight half-centuries to his name. The batting icon will be eager to pick up where he left off as RCB look to become the first side in recent memory to successfully defend the IPL title.
The Bengaluru-based franchise ended an 18-year wait to claim its first-ever IPL title last season. Rajat Patidar emerged as an unlikely hero, leading them to the promised land. The task now is to do it all over again.
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The G.O.A.T Landed in Bengaluru !! pic.twitter.com/OA8F9Ui0BX— Rishabh 18 (@rishabh18v) March 18, 2026
You don’t have to see him to know he’s coming! Check the calendar. There will be signs #PlayBold #RCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/qv8tA5ZCrA— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 18, 2026
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