Virat Kohli was spotted hitting the nets ahead of IPL 2026. The Indian batting great is putting in the heavy yards early as the tournament approaches and fans won’t need much more motivation to get excited for 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 classic drives, he was put through his paces alongside the throwdown specialist. It’s a sight that will thrill cricket fans across the country as anticipation for the new season builds rapidly.
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Kohli might join the RCB Camp on March 15
Though his participation has not been officially confirmed, Kohli could be part of the squad in Bengaluru on March 15. RCB, the defending IPL champions, will be eager to have their talisman at their disposal from the start as they look to retain the title.
The franchise will play five league matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium this season, including the opening match of the tournament. The announcement ended months of uncertainty over whether the iconic site would be cleared in time for the season. It was a significant relief for the Bengaluru faithful.
RCB will also use the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur as a second home venue to host two league matches. Raipur has fond memories of Kohli scoring century against South Africa at the ground in December 2025 during the ODI series.
Plan for delays due to state elections
BCCI is yet to announce the full schedule of IPL 2026. Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed this announcement will come in days.
The delay was attributed to the upcoming state elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The board is waiting for the political calendar to settle before finalizing and releasing the schedules.
As the defending champions, RCB will carry considerable expectations into IPL 2026. Kohli’s early preparations suggest that he is not taking anything for granted. If his clean sheet is anything to go by, he’s determined to get going when the season gets going.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
March 11, 2026 11:59 AM IST
