Fact Check- Did RCB Remove Virat Kohli From Team Bus?

Virat Kohli missing from RCB team bus artwork? [Source: AP]

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise has long carried a reputation for flamboyance. Now, as defending champions, that aura of grandeur has only been further amplified for the ongoing IPL 2026 season.

Even RCB’s team bus, complete with its eye-catching bus artwork that mirrors the franchise’s trademark flair, has now rolled into the spotlight in its own right. However, the apparent absence of franchise zealot Virat Kohli from the bus mural has raised many eyebrows, leaving fans wonder if the defending champions have deliberately left the legendary Indian batter out.

Here, we determine if the RCB franchise has really removed Kohli from its team bus wrap in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.

Did RCB remove Virat Kohli from team bus for IPL 2026?

The new artwork of the RCB team bus was unveiled at the time when the franchise is gearing up for its second match of the IPL 2026 season. The artwork of the bus features captain Rajat Patidar at the centre, and the IPL-winning skipper is surrounded by teammates Jitesh Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer and several others.

Cricbuzz

@cricbuzz

New artwork on the RCB team bus... 📸

Apr 1, 2026, 4:27 PM

However, fans were quick to spot Virat Kohli’s absence from the bus wrap, a detail that has since sparked intrigue and widespread speculation. Several RCB fans even wondered if the franchise has intentionally removed its most legendary campaigner from the team bus artwork.

Also Read- Watch- Virat Kohli Goes Wild After Travis Head's Wicket, Closes In On His Face

However, upon further inspection, it becomes evident that Kohli is indeed part of the design, featuring on the other side of the bus, i.e., an angle that was not included in the initial images that surfaced on social media.

Apart from Virat Kohli, several other RCB members like Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya are featured on the unseen side of the bus.

GOAT¹⁸ 🇬🇧

@SaviorKohli

@cricbuzz Kohli is on other side

Apr 1, 2026, 5:46 PM

RCB starts off title-defense with a win

The RCB franchise started off the IPL 2026 season with a comprehensive win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening match of the tournament. Jacob Duffy picked up three wickets at an expense of just 22 runs from his four overs to unfurl the spell of the match. However, lack of assistance from the other end allowed the ‘Orange Army’ to mount 201-9 from 20 overs.

In response, Devdutt Padikkal blasted 61 runs off just 26 balls, and unbeaten opener Virat Kohli top-scored in the innings by cracking 69* from 38 deliveries. Captain Rajat Patidar also hammered down 31 off just 12 as the defending champions blazed past the SRH in just 15.4 overs with six wickets to spare.

RCB to face CSK later this week

With a win upfront, the Rajat Patidar-led RCB side will now go up against a struggling CSK unit in match number 11 of the IPL 2026 season. The match will be hosted by the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, April 5 later this week.

Another win at this stage would not only strengthen RCB’s early momentum, but will also reinforce their intent to mount a commanding title-defense this season.

Also Read- Kane Williamson Joins LSG In A Never-Before-Seen Role For The IPL 2026