Virat Kohli Headlines RCB’s First Pre-Season Training Session at M Chinnaswamy Stadium
BENGALURU: Nine months after their last home appearance, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) returned to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday to commence preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. A dedicated group of fans welcomed the squad at 4:30 p.m. before an unexpected rain shower abbreviated the two-hour session.
Kohli Finds Early Rhythm
Former captain Virat Kohli immediately drew attention, demonstrating excellent timing and intensity. The session began with a team huddle led by Kohli and head coach Andy Flower. Once in the nets, Kohli’s trademark lofted drives consistently cleared the midwicket boundaries.
Kohli trained in tandem with returning top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal. The franchise opted against using standard net bowlers, relying exclusively on their primary bowling attack and sidearm specialists. Kohli appeared highly assured against spin, confidently stepping out to counter the left-arm orthodox deliveries of high-profile auction acquisition Krunal Pandya. He maintained the same aggressive approach against veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Squad Attendance and Absentees
Several key figures were absent from the opening camp. Retained batter Rajat Patidar and batting coach Dinesh Karthik are expected to join the squad later this week. Left-arm fast bowler Yash Dayal, retained by the franchise for Rs 5 crore prior to the mega auction, was also missing from the opening session.
Among the overseas contingent, English wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox was the sole arrival. According to franchise insiders, Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and the logistics department have finalized travel itineraries for the remaining international players to ensure smooth arrivals ahead of the tournament.
Training Camp Roster Status
| Player / Staff | Role | Camp Status |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Top-order Batter | Present |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Top-order Batter | Present |
| Krunal Pandya | All-rounder | Present |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Pace Bowler | Present |
| Jordan Cox | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Present |
| Rajat Patidar | Top-order Batter | Absent (Joining Soon) |
| Yash Dayal | Pace Bowler | Absent |
Upcoming Schedule and Fan Events
RCB will open their IPL campaign against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The team’s home schedule features four additional matches in Bengaluru and two designated home fixtures in Raipur.
Unlike previous seasons, the franchise will not host its popular ‘Unbox’ fan engagement event. The tight pre-season schedule and mandatory stadium mock drills scheduled for March 23 and 26 forced management to cancel the stadium-wide initiative.