Jitesh Sharma Says Defending Champions Tag is "Irrelevant" as RCB Eye Back-To-Back IPL Titles

Virat Kohli has received strong backing ahead of a crucial Indian Premier League 2026 clash, with former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary acknowledging both the pressure and expectations surrounding the star batter. Tiwary’s remarks come as Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare to face Chennai Super Kings in one of the most anticipated matches of the season.

Speaking about Kohli’s return to T20 cricket after a gap of nearly 10 months, Tiwary noted that there would naturally be some pressure due to limited recent match exposure. However, he emphasised that Kohli has consistently proven his ability to deliver under such circumstances, often rising to the occasion regardless of external expectations or lack of game time.

Kohli recently underlined his class with an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls in RCB’s opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His innings, which included five boundaries and five sixes, played a decisive role in guiding his team to a comfortable six-wicket victory, while also dispelling concerns about rustiness following his break from the format.

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Tiwary further highlighted Kohli’s impact on team morale, stating that his presence at the crease instils belief within the dressing room. According to him, as long as Kohli is batting, the team remains confident of chasing down targets or building strong totals, reflecting the trust placed in his experience and consistency.

Meanwhile, RCB wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma downplayed the relevance of the “defending champions” tag, asserting that the team is focused on approaching the tournament with a fresh mindset. He echoed the philosophy of the team management, including director of cricket Mo Bobat, who stressed that the side is chasing the title rather than defending past success.

RCB have started their IPL 2026 campaign on a positive note with a convincing win in their opener and will aim to maintain momentum against CSK. With Kohli in form and the squad displaying confidence, the upcoming encounter is expected to be a closely contested fixture that could set the tone for both teams in the tournament.

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