Kohli begins IPL 2026 preparations [Source: Instagram/Virat Kohli]The IPL 2026 season is just around the corner, as the 19th season of the marquee event will begin on March 28. The schedule is yet to be released by the governing body, but if the latest reports are to be believed, then RCB will kick-start the tournament with a blockbuster clash against CSK.With the IPL 2026 starting in 17 days, RCB superstar Virat Kohli has started his preparations as he and the side aim to defend their crown, which they won in 2025. Kohli has not played competitive cricket since January, and the batter looks to get into the groove before the start of the season.Kohli in full-flow as RCB great prepares for IPL 2026Currently in London with his family, Kohli posted a video on Instagram, showcasing his preparations for the upcoming IPL season. Having played no cricket for the past 1.5 months, the RCB opener is expected to be rusty, but in the video, he looked in full flow.The batter was practising in the indoor facilities at the iconic Lord’s Stadium, and in the video that has gone viral, the RCB and India great was focusing on hitting explosive shots, as he experimented in the nets before the IPL 2026 season.Moreover, apart from the hard-hitting shots, Kohli also played some exquisite cover drives, which is his trademark shot in a cricket match.Kohli's RCB likely to play against CSK in IPL openerIn the latest development, Cricbuzz reported that RCB is likely to kick-start the IPL 2026 season against rivals, CSK, on March 28. Normally, the champion from the previous edition plays the first match of the new season, and at the same time, it was widely expected that PBKS, the finalists from the 2025 campaign, would play alongside RCB.However, if the Cricbuzz report is to be believed, then the IPL governing body will start the 19th season with a mega clash between two heavyweights of the competition. Two superstars of the game, Kohli and MS Dhoni, will collide on the opening day as fans will witness a high-octane match.Also Read: Gautam Gambhir Hints Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli No Certainty For 2027 World CupKohli to unleash a new version in IPL 2026Kohli’s last three IPL seasons have been spectacular, as the champion batter has scored truckloads of runs with a healthy strike-rate. While he upped the ante with aggressive strokes, there was a lack of consistency in terms of hard-hitting shots.This all changed after the Australia ODI series in October. India played two back-to-back ODI series at home against South Africa, and New Zealand, and Kohli was the star of the show as he delivered the goods at a high tempo.Against the Proteas, he scored 302 runs in three matches, and his strike rate was 117.05. He was not afraid to take down the bowler as South Africa struggled to contain him.In the following series against the Kiwis, the Indian batter slammed 240 runs, and the strike rate was once again over 100 (105.26). There was a newfound aggression in his batting, and RCB can expect the same from him as Kohli is set to unleash an explosive version against the other nine teams.Also Read: Gautam Gambhir Fires Shots At Kirti Azad For Religious Remark On T20 World Cup Win
