RCB's Strong Start: Key Players Shine in Practice Match Ahead of IPL 2026
RCB's Preparations for IPL 2026
On March 22, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) held their inaugural practice match at Chinnaswamy Stadium, showcasing impressive performances from players like Virat Kohli, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Venkatesh Iyer. As they gear up for their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, the batters were divided into two teams, led by Krunal Pandya and Venkatesh Iyer, and they delivered a commendable display in this friendly encounter.
With the aim of kicking off their title defense on a high note, the reigning champions are set to participate in the first game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The squad has assembled in Bengaluru and has commenced rigorous training sessions. On Monday morning, RCB shared a video on social media that captured key moments from their practice session. All-rounder Krunal Pandya provided insights, noting that many of the team's batsmen were in excellent form during the practice match.
Krunal remarked, "It was a good practice game. Everyone had a good hit. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, and Mangesh Yadav all bowled exceptionally well. Among the batters, Jitesh stood out with some remarkable shots. Tim David and Venkatesh also performed well, and Virat's intent and some of his shots were impressive today. He is looking good, which is a great sign for us."
Jitesh Sharma emerged as the standout performer, scoring 81 runs off just 37 balls, and he is expected to play a crucial role as a finisher this season. Tim David contributed 36 runs off 14 balls, while Venkatesh Iyer added 30 runs off 16 balls, both making significant impacts alongside Jitesh. RCB is still exploring the best role for the Indian all-rounder, who can be a valuable asset in any T20 format.
Krunal highlighted Virat Kohli's quickfire 29 runs off 12 balls, noting that the RCB opener seemed to be in great rhythm from the outset. As RCB aims to prove that their championship win last season was not a fluke, they will rely on Kohli for another successful campaign.
In the previous IPL 2025 final, RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings. They will kick off their season with two home games at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium before heading to Guwahati to face the Rajasthan Royals and then traveling to Mumbai to take on the Mumbai Indians.