"Going to come hard": Virat Kohli predicts early blows ahead of RCB's opening match in IPL 2026

Ahead of the opening day of the inaugural match of the IPL 2026, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be playing as the defending champions for the first time in league history. Before their first training session at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Virat Kohli delivered some words of wisdom to motivate his teammates.

RCB won their maiden IPL title of 2025, breaking an 18-year-long jinx. Rajat Patidar was the leader, but Virat Kohli was the team's main cog. The batting maestro was named Man of the Match as well in the final against the Punjab Kings. All eyes will again be on Virat Kohli and RCB as another Indian Premier League season beckons.

RCB shared an official video ahead of the IPL 2026 opening match, with Virat Kohli in the center

The franchise shared an official video from their social media platforms to showcase the former skippers' words of wisdom. Virat Kohli asked everyone to work harder as the upcoming season is going to be more challenging.

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The star batter predicted early that all teams would come to face them with full intensity, as they are the defending champions. Virat Kohli asked more than 100 percent from each member of the team to protect their title.

"We worked really hard over the last two to three seasons to achieve what we did last year, and it’s only going to get tougher because the other teams are going to come hard at us. We don’t waste these days."

"We stay ahead. So, switch on now. Let’s not waste even a minute of every session we are a part of. We must give our 120% for these two and a half months. I can see from everyone’s faces that we are excited enough to be challenged", Virat Kohli said in the video.

𝑫𝒂𝒚 1️⃣. 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒆 🔛. ❤️‍🔥

Head Coach Andy Flower welcomes the new members of the squad, and Virat’s pep talk in the first practice session of #IPL2026 at ನಮ್ಮ Chinnaswamy. 👊

Watch more on @bigbasket_com presents RCB Bold Diaries. 🎥#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/ee8mPnIgWb

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 20, 2026

Andy Flower looked happy with the team

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower looked happy with the squad, with some new additions. The former Zimbabwe batter expressed his pleasure with the blend of experienced and newcomers.

"We had an interesting auction. I think we’ve improved our squad, to be quite frank. We brought in some great new additions. So, integrating those new players into the RCB way with some of the established players, obviously led by Virat and Rajat, is an exciting part of building a new team together," Andy Flower said in the video.

We have actually got a star- Andy Flower

"If there is one difference this year, we have actually got a star on our shirts. So that is a very proud feeling to have for all RCBians. One thing that I would emphasise, though, is that the season’s gone and now we have a new challenge ahead of us, and it’s a really exciting challenge. We’re here to win this year’s IPL", he added.

As the winners of the IPL 2025, the Red and Black team will play the opening match of the upcoming season. IPL 2026 will start from March 28, with the highly anticipated match between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Read More: "My eye is on the trophy": Shreyas Iyer sends strong message ahead of IPL 2026