Virat Kohli Dismisses Social Media Jokes About His London Residence During IPL 2026
Kohli's Stellar Return to IPL
Virat Kohli, the former captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), recently addressed the buzz surrounding his residence in London while the Indian Premier League (IPL) season is underway. He made his comeback in RCB's first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
In this match, Kohli delivered an impressive performance, scoring an unbeaten 69 runs off 38 balls, which included five sixes and four fours, achieving a strike rate of 181.58. His efforts were pivotal in helping RCB successfully chase a target of 202 runs with 26 balls remaining. This marked his first competitive game in two months, following his last appearance in the ODI series against New Zealand in January.
Additionally, this match marked Kohli's return to T20 cricket after nearly a year, with his last game in this format being the IPL 2025 final, where RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings to secure their first title.
Kohli Responds to Online Jokes
During IPL 2026, Kohli became the subject of humorous online discussions regarding his time in London, with some fans jokingly suggesting that RCB was fielding an extra overseas player. Danish Sait, known as Mr. Nags, humorously commented on this, implying that RCB had five overseas players in their lineup.
In a video shared by RCB on their X account, Mr. Nags made a light-hearted remark about the 'five overseas players' joke, which Kohli quickly recognized was directed at him. He responded with a witty comeback that gained traction on social media.
Kohli quipped, "I don’t know, why are you asking me? Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player. Am I an overseas player?"
Kohli's Move to London
After retiring from Test cricket in May of the previous year, Kohli, along with his actress wife Anushka Sharma and their two children, relocated to London. This move was aimed at providing their family with a more private lifestyle, away from the relentless public attention in India, and to ensure a more normal upbringing for their children.
Just ten days prior to RCB's opening match in IPL 2026, Kohli returned to Bengaluru from London to participate in the pre-season training camp, quickly re-establishing his rhythm with the team as they prepared to defend their title.
Kohli's Continued Dominance in White-Ball Cricket
Kohli's 69-run performance in the opening match of IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad is a testament to his ongoing excellence in white-ball cricket since stepping back from Test matches. He has shifted his focus to ODIs, aiming to extend his career until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Before re-entering T20 cricket this IPL season, Kohli participated in three ODI series against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, accumulating 616 runs, which included three centuries and three fifties, averaging 88 across nine matches. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored 131 and 77 runs against Andhra and Gujarat, respectively, showcasing his impressive form leading into the IPL.
With Kohli now concentrating on just one format at the international level, his workload has significantly decreased, allowing him to maintain his freshness and prolong his white-ball career. The IPL 2026 is a critical opportunity for Kohli, as BCCI selectors are closely monitoring his performance and consistency for potential inclusion in India's plans for the 2027 World Cup.
Kohli is set to play again when RCB faces Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, April 5.