Virat Kohli arrived in Bengaluru well in advance of the upcoming IPL season and joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru as they prepare to defend their title.The star batsman was central to RCB’s historic triumph last season, finishing with 657 runs at a strike rate of 144.71 and an impressive average of 54.75, including eight half-centuries. His consistency at the top played a huge role in ending the franchise’s long wait for silverware.RCB finally broke their 18-year title drought, with Rajat Patidar emerging as a leader during the campaign. Having achieved that milestone, the focus now shifts to repeating the success in what promises to be a tough title defence.Kohli has already retired from T20Is and Tests. With only the ODIs and the IPL remaining, every appearance now carries an added meaning.Even at 37, Kohli continues to perform at an elite level. His numbers from last season underscore his enduring quality as he remains one of the most complete batsmen in the format, capable of both anchoring and accelerating as needed.His recent ODI form further highlights his consistency. Against South Africa, Kohli scored 135 off 120 balls, 102 off 93 and an unbeaten 65 off 45 in the three-match series. He followed it up with 93 off 91 in the first ODI and 124 off 108 in the third against New Zealand.RCB will begin their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.Kohli also enters the season as the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer, having amassed 8,661 runs in 267 matches, including a record eight centuries.
