Virat Kohli and RCB Kick Off Training at M Chinnaswamy: Highlights from Their First Session
Nine months after a heartbreaking homecoming, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) returned to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday to kick off their preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), set to begin on March 28. A small but enthusiastic group of fans gathered outside the stadium to greet the players as they arrived around 4:30 PM. The practice session lasted for two hours before rain interrupted the proceedings, concluding at 6:30 PM.
Training Highlights
The training session was marked by a strong focus on star player Virat Kohli. As the session commenced with a team huddle, Kohli, along with head coach Andy Flower, addressed a partially assembled squad. Notably absent was skipper Rajat Patidar, who is expected to join the team on Thursday. Batting coach Dinesh Karthik was also missing, along with left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, who is facing criminal charges. Among the overseas recruits, only England’s wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox has arrived so far. Despite the ongoing unrest in West Asia, RCB’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, and the logistics team have prepared travel plans for the remaining overseas players to ensure a smooth arrival.
Amid the sounds of construction at the stadium, Kohli’s bat was the most prominent noise, as he executed his signature lofted strokes, sending balls deep into the stands. Training alongside Karnataka skipper Devdutt Padikkal, the duo faced a mix of pace and spin without the assistance of net bowlers, relying instead on their own bowling unit and sidearm specialists. Kohli appeared particularly confident against spin, stepping out decisively against the spin attack led by Krunal Pandya, while also maintaining intensity against pace bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and new recruit Venkatesh Iyer.
Upcoming Matches
RCB is set to open their IPL campaign against fellow southern rivals Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28. Following this match, the team will play four additional home games at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, along with two fixtures scheduled in Raipur. The return to Bengaluru marks a significant moment for the franchise, as they look to build momentum ahead of the tournament.
Fan Engagement Changes
In a notable change this season, RCB has decided to scrap their popular ‘Unbox’ event, which has historically attracted large crowds for fan engagement. While there has been no official announcement regarding this decision, it seems that the tight schedule and planned mock drills at the stadium on March 23 and 26 have influenced this choice. Fans will be disappointed to miss out on this event, which has become a staple of the franchise’s pre-season activities in recent years.
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