Virat Kohli sends IPL warning with 45 off 19 in RCB intra-squad game

Bengaluru: Virat Kohli served an emphatic reminder of his destructive capabilities on Wednesday, hammering a 19-ball 45 in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s second intra-squad hit-out at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, less than a week before the IPL 2026 season opener.

The 37-year-old’s innings, laced with crisp drives and wristy flicks, headlined RCB’s final rehearsal for their title defence. Batting mentor and newly-appointed batting coach Dinesh Karthik could not hide his admiration after the session.

“Good game today. The class of Virat came through quite nicely up front, played some lovely shots,” Karthik said in a video posted by the franchise. “The greatness about Virat is that every year he comes up with a certain plan and intent. You saw how he’s really upped what he wants to do. I feel this year he’ll try to get even better. That tells a lot about the person he is. He’s always trying to push his boundaries.”

Karthik also highlighted Kohli’s intangible impact, adding, “What he brings in terms of energy to the crowd and the meetings, those are big things, and that’s a big part of Virat’s personality.”

Earlier in the session, Kohli was seen rolling his arm over to opening partner Phil Salt, who is searching for form after managing only 130 runs in eight innings during England’s disappointing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Kohli’s backing of Salt underlines the senior pro’s dressing-room influence as RCB look to integrate their new-look top order.

The intra-squad fixture followed Monday’s high-scoring affair in which wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma blasted 81 off 37 balls and skipper Rajat Patidar smoked 74 from 25 deliveries. Kohli chipped in then too, racing to 29 off 12 balls as Venkatesh Iyer’s XI posted 234 for 7. Patidar’s side chased down the target with three balls to spare, finishing on 247 for 5.

With the IPL 2026 curtain-raiser set for March 28, when Sunrisers Hyderabad face RCB at the Chinnaswamy, Kohli’s ominous touch will buoy the home faithful. RCB’s next assignments see them take on Chennai Super Kings on April 5, Rajasthan Royals on April 10 in Guwahati, and Mumbai Indians on April 12 at the Wankhede.