Virat Kohli (Source:AFP)
With the IPL 2026 season just days away, RCB fans were excited and curious about the team's latest practice game. Star batter Virat Kohli, who has been in outstanding form recently, looked sharp during the intra-squad match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Virat Kohli started confidently, showcasing his trademark timing and control. He played elegant drives and powerful pulls, dominating bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mangesh Yadav.
His shots included a stylish drive through long-on and a six over deep square leg, indicating he is well-prepared for the upcoming season.
However, in a surprising turn, Virat Kohli was dismissed while trying to accelerate. The bowler who took his wicket was relatively unknown, Abhinandan Singh.
Who is Abhinandan Singh?
Abhinandan Singh may not be a household name, but his recent performances suggest he could soon gain recognition. The right-arm medium-fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh was retained by RCB for ₹30 lakh ahead of the 2026 season.
He made a mark in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League. In the 2024 season, representing the Lucknow Falcons, he took 15 wickets in 10 matches.
In the following 2025 season, he added 8 wickets in 8 matches, maintaining a decent economy rate and improving his control.
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It is important to mention that dismissing Virat Kohli, even in practice game, will give Abhinandan Singh a much-needed confidence ahead of IPL 2026. It will also be interesting to see whether, after such a performance, will Abhinandan Singh get a chance in the RCB playing XI in IPL 2026.
RCB gear up for IPL 2026 with strong preparations
RCB appear focused and well-prepared ahead of their opening clash against SRH on March 28. The practice match offered insights into both the team's strengths and areas of concern.
While Kohli impressed, captain Rajat Patidar struggled to find rhythm and was dismissed cheaply. Other players like Tim David and Venkatesh Iyer showed flashes of power-hitting but lacked consistency.
It is important to mention that last year Kohli was in remarkable form. In IPL 2025, Kohli played in 15 matches and made 657 runs at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71.
Among bowlers, Krunal Pandya stood out with his clever variations, troubling multiple batters.
The team is also keeping an eye on the fitness of key players like Josh Hazlewood, though backups are available. New additions such as Venkatesh Iyer and emerging players like Jacob Bethell add depth to the squad.
RCB Squad For IPL 2026
Rajat Patidar(C), Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Swapnil Singh, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Venkatesh Iyer, Satvik Deswal, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan, Jordan Cox, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Tushara, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Yash Dayal.
RCB's Schedule in IPL 2026
RCB will kick off their campaign with a high-voltage clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28. The match will be played at their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The excitement continues as RCB face their biggest rivals, CSK, on April 5. This match is also scheduled to take place in Bengaluru, making it back-to-back home games for RCB.
After completing their home matches, RCB will hit the road for two important away games. Their first away fixture will be against the Rajasthan Royals on April 10.
Just two days later, on April 12, RCB will face another tough opponent, the Mumbai Indians.
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