Virat Kohli Shines in IPL 2026 Opener, Hails Future Star of Indian Cricket

In the IPL 2026 opener, Virat Kohli showcased his exceptional skills, leading RCB to a swift victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Scoring 69 runs off 38 balls, Kohli not only impressed fans but also named Rajat Patidar as the future star of Indian cricket. Patidar's leadership has already brought success to RCB, and Kohli's endorsement adds to the excitement surrounding his potential. The match saw thrilling performances from both teams, setting the stage for an exhilarating IPL season ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 29, 2026, 15:37 IST

Virat Kohli's Stellar Performance

Virat Kohli: In the opening match of IPL 2026 held last night at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the reigning champions RCB faced off against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Thanks to Virat Kohli's explosive and strategic innings, RCB clinched victory in just 15.4 overs. Kohli scored an impressive 69 runs off 38 balls.

During his innings, Kohli hit 5 fours and 5 sixes. Having retired from T20 and Test cricket, he has now identified a future star for Team India.

Kohli Names Future Star of Indian Cricket

Virat Kohli praised his team captain, Rajat Patidar, as the future superstar of Indian cricket. Under Patidar's leadership, RCB secured the IPL 2025 title last season. Kohli expressed his admiration for Patidar, stating:

“Rajat Patidar is an exceptionally talented cricketer and possesses remarkable ability to score runs quickly.”

RCB's Victory in the Opening Match

The first match between RCB and SRH took place last night, where SRH batted first, scoring 201 runs in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to Ishan Kishan's 80 runs and Aniket Verma's 43 runs. Jacob Duffy stood out in RCB's bowling attack, taking 3 wickets for just 22 runs in 4 overs.

When RCB came to bat, Kohli opened alongside Phil Salt, who was dismissed for just 8 runs. Devdutt Padikkal then contributed significantly with a quick 61 runs off 26 balls, while Rajat Patidar added 31 runs off 12 balls. Kohli remained unbeaten, finishing with 69 runs from 38 balls.