Dinesh Karthik Praises Virat Kohli's Stellar Performance Ahead of IPL 2026

Karthik Commends Kohli's Form in RCB's Practice Match

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 25: Dinesh Karthik, the mentor and batting coach for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), expressed admiration for Virat Kohli following his impressive 19-ball 45 during the team's second intra-squad practice match in preparation for the IPL 2026 season.

After the practice match on Wednesday, Karthik highlighted Kohli's remarkable performance, noting his consistency, evolving strategies, and unwavering commitment to improvement. He also pointed out Kohli's vibrant energy and significant impact both on the field and within the team atmosphere.

“Today was a great game. Virat showcased his class right from the start, executing some beautiful shots. What stands out about him is that every year he approaches the game with a fresh plan and intent. He has clearly elevated his game this season, which speaks volumes about his character. He constantly seeks to push his limits. Additionally, his ability to energize the crowd and contribute during team meetings is a crucial aspect of his personality,” Karthik stated in a video shared by RCB on social media.

RCB's first intra-squad warm-up match took place on Monday, where wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma scored an impressive 81 runs off 37 balls, while skipper Rajat Patidar made a quickfire 74 runs off just 25 balls. Kohli also contributed with a rapid 29 runs off 12 balls.

Batting first, Venkatesh Iyer's team set a target of 234 runs for 7 wickets, with notable contributions from Jitesh (81), Tim David (36 off 14 balls), Iyer (30 off 16 balls), and Kohli (29 off 12 balls). In response, the opposing team, led by Krunal, chased down the target with 247 runs, featuring standout performances from Rajat (74 off 25 balls), Padikkal (63 off 33 balls), and Krunal (58 off 33 balls).

RCB is set to begin their IPL 2026 journey against Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home ground in Bengaluru on March 28.