RCB's Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar Shine in Pre-IPL Nets Session
RCB Prepares for IPL 2026 Season
On March 18, teammates Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) engaged in a competitive practice session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. As the defending champions, RCB is set to launch their IPL title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the same venue.
The atmosphere was vibrant as the RCB squad gathered at their iconic home ground, gearing up for the upcoming season. This marks the first time RCB enters the tournament as reigning champions, creating a spirited yet competitive environment during practice, where bowlers and batsmen challenged each other's skills.
Kohli's Comeback and Performance
Virat Kohli, who last played in January during the ODI series against New Zealand, is making his return to competitive cricket after a two-month hiatus. In that series, he was India's top scorer, amassing 240 runs, which included a century and a fifty, with an impressive average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26 across three matches.
Bhuvneshwar's Impressive Delivery
During the hour-long nets session, both players showcased their skills, but a standout moment was Bhuvneshwar Kumar's exceptional yorker that left Kohli momentarily stunned. A viral video captured the moment, showing Kohli misjudging the delivery, which was both fast and accurate, demonstrating Bhuvneshwar's bowling prowess.
Known for his swing and deadly yorkers, Bhuvneshwar kept Kohli on high alert during practice. The seasoned batter adjusted his stance and timing, focusing on technique to counter Bhuvneshwar's challenging deliveries.
Bhuvneshwar's Return to RCB
After a 15-year absence, Bhuvneshwar Kumar rejoined RCB last season, having been acquired for INR 10.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. Despite being out of the Indian team since 2022, he appeared to be in excellent form during the nets, positioning him as a key player for RCB in IPL 2026.
Social Media Buzz: Perfect Yorker or Wide Ball?
The viral clip of Bhuvneshwar's yorker sparked a lively debate on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Fans were divided on whether the delivery was a perfect yorker or a wide ball. Some argued it was a wide, as it was down the leg side and out of Kohli's reach, while others praised Bhuvneshwar's skill, calling him a 'master of yorkers.'
Comments ranged from affirmations of the delivery being a wide to praises for Bhuvneshwar's bowling technique, indicating a mix of opinions among cricket enthusiasts.
Kohli and Bhuvneshwar's Past Success
Both players were instrumental in RCB's first IPL victory, defeating Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3. Kohli was the team's leading run-scorer with 657 runs, while Bhuvneshwar was a key wicket-taker, contributing significantly to the team's success.