Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has arrived in Bengaluru to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) camp ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, along with fellow stars Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Devdutt Padikkal. The team is set to begin its title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with high expectations after a historic double triumph alongside RCB’s women’s squad, the reigning Women's Premier League (WPL) champions. RCB is now the first franchise to hold both the IPL and WPL titles simultaneously.

RCB took to X to announce Kohli’s arrival, posting, "You don't have to see him… to know he's coming! Check the calendar. There will be signs… #PlayBold RCB #IPL2026." The city has already shown excitement for the star, with the number 18, Kohli’s jersey number, displayed on traffic signals and fans eager to catch a glimpse of the cricketer. Last season, Kohli played a pivotal role in leading RCB to victory over Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad, lifting the elusive IPL trophy that had long evaded him.

Kohli, the IPL’s leading run-getter, currently has 8,661 runs in 267 matches with eight centuries and 63 fifties. He aims to become the first player to reach 9,000 IPL runs and potentially surpass 10,000 runs for a single team when combining IPL and the now-defunct Champions League T20. Across all T20s, Kohli has amassed 13,543 runs, and this season he could join an elite club including Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Alex Hales, and David Warner by surpassing 14,000 T20 runs. Last season, he scored 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, finishing as RCB’s leading run-scorer.

Also Read: LSG Coaches Present Jerseys To Groundsmen Ahead Of IPL 2026

Alongside Kohli, pace veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to the squad, with RCB noting, "He brings the calm, but his impact is loud! Bhuvi is HOME, and the veteran is back to shoulder responsibilities again." Bhuvneshwar took 17 wickets in 14 matches last season at an average of 28.41, and he is close to becoming the second bowler to reach 200 wickets in the IPL, while also aiming to be the first pacer to achieve this milestone. Currently, Yuzi Chahal leads the IPL wicket charts with 221 wickets.

Young opener Devdutt Padikkal also joined the team, returning after an injury last season. RCB highlighted his role, saying, "Back to #PlayBold. Back to control the game. Debuted in 2020. Still ours in 2026. Bengaluru’s very own, StarBoy, Devdutt Padikkal is all set for #IPL2026!" Padikkal scored 247 runs in 10 innings last season before his injury and comes off a prolific domestic campaign, including 543 runs in the Ranji Trophy and 725 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, demonstrating his consistency and temperament at the top of the order.

Padikkal’s form extended to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 309 runs in six matches at an average of 61.80 and a strike rate of 167.02. Despite the team falling short of the knockout stage, his performances have cemented his reputation as one of India’s most promising young batsmen. With Kohli, Bhuvneshwar, and Padikkal leading RCB, the franchise enters IPL 2026 with high expectations and the momentum of last season’s historic success. Fans in Bengaluru and across India are eagerly awaiting the team’s first match, hoping the 'PlayBold' spirit will deliver another memorable IPL campaign.

Also Read: Mumbai Indians Welcome Rohit Sharma Back For IPL 2026 Season