Fact Check - Virat Kohli IPL 2026 Tattoo Real Or Fake?

Did Kohli get a IPL trophy tattooed on his left elbow? (PC -x.com/vkkings18)The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) is yet to begin, but the league is already creating waves among its fans. Celebrated as the biggest cricketing festival on the calendar, the upcoming edition of the IPL is to kickstart on March 28, Saturday. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be the reigning champions this season, and the star icon Virat Kohli has already started his preps for the IPL 2026 in London. With Kohli posting a batting drill in indoor nets, the visuals are surfacing all over the internet. However, a new controversy has also erupted involving the former RCB captain.Did Virat Kohli really tattoo IPL trophy?Virat Kohli was seen playing some exquisite shots on both sides of the field. He played some usually cut shots, while he showcased his trademark cover drives and flicks off the pads. After the video went viral, some users on X started citing that Virat Kohli has tattooed the IPL trophy, with 2026 written beneath the silverware, on his left elbow. The controversy picked up when the right-handed batter deleted the video he posted on Tuesday evening, but only to post it again on Wednesday morning. Read More: Pakistan Player Exposes Dark Side Of PCB, Urges Killer Blow From T20 World Cup PlayersRoyal Challengers Bengaluru @RCBTweets The run machine looks well oiled! 🤩 🐐 Let’s start #IPL2026 already 🙏 #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB Mar 11, 2026, 10:55 AM However, in the video, it is evidently visible that the RCB batter has no new tattoos, especially on his left arm. urstruly.1 @VikashChou70911 @viratkohli_un Real tattoos Mar 11, 2026, 3:01 PM The 37-year-old last played a game back in Janurary during the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, where he a century and a 93. After a long break from action, he will be next seen in the RCB colours, this time as an IPL winner. Although it is not confirmed when will Kohli join the RCB camp. RCB's journey from meme material to IPL championsRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) came twice close to winning the championship before eventually lifting it in the IPL 2025. However, the journey that far hasn't been easy for them. Despite having quality names through their ranks, RCB failed to translate into performance, for which they were trolled heavily on the social media. However, ahead of the previous edition, the team management made various tactical calls and assembled a burly squad to win the championship.The preparation both off and on the field paid off as RCB lifted its maiden trophy under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, who led them for the first time last season. All the players contributed to RCB winning the title, and Virat Kohli also played a big role, posting his third-best IPL season in terms of runs (657 at 54.75). IPL 2026 going to be important for Virat KohliAs retired from two formats now, Virat Kohli would now only play in the IPL apart from representing India in ODIs. With very little cricket for him to play across the year, he will be judged every time he takes the field. Meanwhile, Kohli is pushing for the ODI World Cup in 2027, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. And he will have to prove his mettle in the IPL 2026, as a bad season might close his doors in the ODI squad, with ample talent on display in the Indian cricket at present. Nevertheless, Kohli will be seen in action from March 28, when RCB reportedly plays the opening game against Chennai Super Kings at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. More Read: Gautam Gambhir Reacts To MS Dhoni's Message, Reveals Harsh Truth