In an endearing social media message ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) welcomed the return of renowned cricket player Virat Kohli. On Saturday, March 28, the reigning champions will begin their championship defense at home against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kohli will make his comeback at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Since the inaugural IPL season in 2008, Virat Kohli has been a member of RCB. For a 19th straight season, the 37-year-old is back with the team. The former captain has amassed 8,661 IPL runs at an average of 39.54 during his tenure with the Bengaluru-based team, the most of any hitter.
“He’s heard this call before. From the city. From the stands. From you. And every time… he’s answered. 18 seasons later, nothing’s changed. When Bengaluru calls, the King comes home. ನಮ್ಮ ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಮಗ, King, the GOAT, Virat Kohli is back home for the 19th Season of IPL,” RCB captioned Kohli’s welcome post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Check RCB’s post for Virat Kohli’s arrival ahead of IPL 2026 below:
He’s heard this call before. 🗣️
From the city. From the stands. From you. ❤️
And every time… he’s answered. 😮💨
18 seasons later, nothing’s changed.
When Bengaluru calls, the King comes home. 👑
ನಮ್ಮ ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಮಗ, King, the GOAT, Virat Kohli is back home for the 19th Season of… pic.twitter.com/PD2nLWwgWR
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 18, 2026This marks the first time in his career that Virat Kohli enters the Indian Premier League as a reigning champion. The right-hander played a pivotal role in securing the franchise’s maiden title, amassing 657 runs at an average of 54.75. Notably, he delivered a crucial 43 off 35 balls in the final against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
This was the last professional game of Kohli in the shortest version of the game when he quit Tests and Twenty20 Internation after quitting Tests and Twenty20 Internation. The first-rate talent, however, works well on behalf of Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy as well as in ODIs in the Indian team. The previous captain of India has made one in the nineties and four hundreds in the past ten matches.
Heading into the 2026 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will rely heavily on the form of Virat Kohli. Moreover, he and Phil Salt formed one of the most effective opening combinations in the previous season. Therefore, the team will expect them to replicate a similar impact at the top this time around.
