Virat Kohli's preparations begin, hits the nets ahead IPL 2026: Watch
India Today
Virat Kohli has been spotted hitting the nets ahead of IPL 2026, with the Indian batting great putting in the hard yards early as defending champions RCB gear up for the new season.
Virat Kohli has been spotted hitting the nets ahead of IPL 2026. The Indian batting great is putting in the hard yards early as the tournament draws closer, and fans will not need much more motivation to get excited about the new season.
In a video shared on his Instagram handle, Kohli was seen working on a wide range of shots. From aggressive lofted hits to classical drives, he went through his paces alongside a throwdown specialist. It is a sight that will excite cricket fans across the country as anticipation builds rapidly for the new season.
WATCH THE VIDEO
A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli)
While his participation has not been officially confirmed, Kohli could be part of the squad assembling in Bengaluru on March 15. RCB, the defending IPL champions, will be eager to have their talisman available from the outset as they look to retain the title.
The franchise will play five league matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium this season, including the tournament's opening fixture. That announcement ended months of uncertainty over whether the iconic venue would be cleared in time for the season. It was a significant relief for the Bengaluru faithful.
No Pakistani players were sold in the Women's Hundred auction, with Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal shortlisted but left unsold. Attention now shifts to the men's auction, where 14 Pakistani players, including Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan, are set to feature.
Gujarat Titans (GT) have appointed former India wicketkeeper batter Vijay Dahiya as their assistant coach ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026).
Speaking in the lead-up to IPL 2026, Jitesh Sharma said he was disheartened after being left out of India's T20 World Cup squad. However, the RCB wicketkeeper-batter added that he has no regrets, as the snub allowed him to spend precious time with his father, who died on February 1.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has set his sights on qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2027 after guiding his team to back-to-back ICC white-ball triumphs.
IPL 2026: The BCCI announced the schedule for the first 16 days of the 19th season of the IPL. Defending champions RCB will take on SunRisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on March 28 in the opening game.
Former chief selector Sandeep Patil reveals Gautam Gambhir has refused to speak to him since being dropped in 2013, recalling a long-standing rift that began during MS Dhoni's captaincy tenure.
PAK vs BAN, 1st ODI: Without Babar Azam in their lineup, Pakistan slumped to their lowest ODI total against Bangladesh when the two teams met on Wednesday, March 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Bangladesh chased the target with 209 deliveries remaining.
NZW vs ZIMW: Amelia Kerr enjoyed a dream ODI series against Zimbabwe, taking 16 wickets from three matches at an economy rate of 4.07. Earlier in the limited-overs leg of the tour, the New Zealand skipper also claimed a seven-wicket haul and scored her maiden T20I century.
IPL 2026: MS Dhoni, 44, will play the entirety of the upcoming season, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan said on Wednesday, March 11. The upcoming edition of the IPL is likely to get underway on March 28.
T20 World Cup: India captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed that Sanju Samson had asked what he could do for the team despite starting the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup on the bench. Samson later emerged as India's biggest hero of the tournament.
T20 World Cup: Varun Chakravarthy's reign at the top of the ICC T20I bowlers rankings has come to an end after his lacklustre performance during the second phase of the T20 World Cup 2026.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said US President Donald Trump had assured that Iran would be allowed to travel to the United States to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The confirmation came amid growing doubts over Iran's participation due to rising geopolitical tensions.
Virat Kohli has been spotted hitting the nets ahead of IPL 2026, with the Indian batting great putting in the hard yards early as defending champions RCB gear up for the new season.