Virat Kohli in a practice session during IPL 2026. PC- AP
After demolishing the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Delhi, the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bagged their sixth victory of the IPL 2026. RCB are currently sitting in second place and can replace the Punjab Kings if they beat the Gujarat Titans on Thursday, assuming the Kings lose to the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday.
As games are coming thick and fast in the IPL 2026, RCB had to travel early on Tuesday morning, as they will face the GT in a reverse fixture at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
The whole RCB squad took an early morning flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad, but their star opener and former captain, Virat Kohli, was missing.
Virat Kohli not to travel with RCB to Ahmedabad
As reported by ANI, Virat Kohli inaugurated the West Delhi Cricket Academy at Delhi's prestigious school, DPS RK Puram, along with his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma and DDCA's President Rohan Jaitley, on Tuesday morning.
It is learnt that the Delhi-born missed the travel with the RCB squad for this given school ceremony. However, it is unclear whether he will rejoin his IPL on Tuesday evening or remain in Delhi till Wednesday.
Although the RCB franchise hasn't posted any pictures on their travel from Delhi to Ahmedabad yet, spinner Suyash Sharma has shared a selfie on his Instagram to confirm the travel.
Nevertheless, the legendary batter went on to emphasise the importance of practising at the highest level, drawing parallels from his childhood.
"I started practising when I was eight years old, and I still continue to come to the academy whenever I get time. And it's a big part of my childhood, and I hope all the kids that come to learn cricket here can value it, can learn something from the academy. And I hope it does wonders for the school, the cricket setup here as well. So, I wish everyone all the very best," Virat Kohli mentioned as quoted by ANI.
Virat Kohli put on brief show for Delhi fans
Retired from Tests and T20Is, fans get to witness very little of Virat Kohli nowadays. Delhi fans, who have a special bond with the local boy, understand that. Hence, the Delhi-born received a massive reception in the DC vs RCB on Monday.
As Bengaluru restricted Delhi to a record score of 75 runs, Kohli got a brief time to entertain the crowd with his batting show. However, the batting maestro stitched a 15-ball 23, hitting a boundary and two biggies.
During his course in the middle, Kohli became the first batter to complete 9000 IPL runs. Overall in T20s, he has hit 13894 runs - the most by an Indian and sixth most by any batter.
What's next for RCB?
The defending champions, RCB, will next play GT in Ahmedabad before heading to Lucknow to face LSG on May 7. As their home games at Bengaluru are over, they will then play in Raipur for back-to-back home games from May 10 to 13.
Currently, sitting on second place, RCB are looking of the most enthralling outfits of the season.
Also Read: Delhi Capitals Fans Troll RCB With Infamous 49 Chants
