Virat Kohli Turns Bowler in RCB Nets to Support Phil Salt Ahead of IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) preparations for the 2026 Indian Premier League are underway, highlighted by an unusual sight at a recent training session: Virat Kohli rolling his arm over to bowl to his opening partner, Phil Salt.
In a video released by the franchise, Kohli is seen feeding deliveries to Salt, assisting the English wicketkeeper-batter in ironing out technical flaws following a noticeable dip in form during the T20 World Cup 2026.
RCB Defending the Title: The Kohli-Salt Dynamic
Kohli and Salt established themselves as a formidable opening combination in the previous season. Their top-order synergy was central to RCB securing their maiden IPL title in 2025. The strategic blueprint relied on Salt acting as the primary aggressor during the powerplay, allowing Kohli to anchor the innings and accelerate in the middle and death overs.
IPL 2025 Opening Partnership Highlights
During their championship run, the pair accumulated 565 runs across 13 innings as a partnership. Two matches stood out for their dominant top-order displays:
- Against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): The duo constructed a rapid 95-run opening stand in just 8.3 overs during a 175-run chase. Salt dominated the powerplay with 56 runs off 31 balls, while Kohli guided the team to victory with an unbeaten 59 from 36 deliveries.
- Against Rajasthan Royals (RR): In Jaipur, they dismantled the Rajasthan bowling attack with a 92-run opening partnership to set up a nine-wicket win. Salt scored a brisk 65 off 33 balls before his dismissal, while Kohli finished the game with 62 not out from 45 balls.
Individual Performances and Statistical Breakdown
The highly effective styles of both batters were evident in their final tournament statistics. According to data from ESPN Cricinfo, both players ranked among the top run-scorers for the franchise.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Role and Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 15 | 657 | 54.75 | 148.50 | Anchored the batting lineup, scoring 43 in the final against Punjab Kings. |
| Phil Salt | 13 | 403 | 31.00 | 175.98 | Powerplay aggressor, securing four half-centuries. |
Management Backs Salt Despite T20 World Cup Slump
Salt enters the upcoming official IPL season looking to rebound from a difficult T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where he managed only 130 runs across eight innings. Despite the statistical drop, RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat remains confident in the opener’s ability to bounce back.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, March 24, Bobat emphasized Salt’s standing in international cricket and his strong rapport with the team:
“Someone like Phil Salt is still ranked among the top T20 batters in the world. He enjoys the franchise and his partnership with Virat. He works very well with Andy and DK. I am pretty sure we will see Phil Salt doing his thing at the start of the season. They are a couple of gladiators walking out, and they will be trying to put the opposition under pressure. We have complete confidence in Phil Salt.”
As RCB finalizes its squad strategies ahead of the opening fixture, the franchise aims to replicate the top-order dominance that delivered their first championship. Fans can track further team updates via the BCCI and the official RCB platforms.