'I’m not carrying that baggage, but Virat Kohli...': RCB boss makes huge statement ahead of IPL 2026
Published - 24 Mar 2026, 03:59 PM | Updated - 24 Mar 2026, 04:03 PM
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Ahead of the tournament opener of the IPL 2026 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Director of Cricket makes some huge comments on the team, which will be in the grind to defend their hard-earned trophy. During the latest interaction with the media, Mo Bobat explains why Virat Kohli is the key to the team.
Since the inception of the franchise league, Virat Kohli has been engaged with RCB. He and the team had to wait for 18 years to claim their maiden Indian Premier League trophy. In the final of the IPL 2025, Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by only a few runs.
Mo Bobat explained why Virat Kohli is the nucleus of the team
In the next Indian Premier League season, which will start from March 28. As the defending champions, RCB will play the first game. Match No. 1 of the IPL 2026 will be between Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Winning the maiden IPL trophy, waiting after 18 years, was described as a jinx that was finally broken. Bobat does not want to say that as a jinx. For him, it is about perception. Most of the players will come and go, but Virat Kohli is different, as he remains with the team during all the highs and lows, the RCB boss explains.
"I won't describe it as a jinx. Players come and go. Fans will be chasing that elusive trophy. But it is my second year at RCB, so I am not carrying that baggage. For Kohli it is unique, he has gone through the highs and lows. For some players, it is their first season. We have to start with humility this season," Mo Bobat told the media.
RCB boss has high ambitions for the opener Phil Salt
Virat Kohli is expected to open the innings with England's Phil Salt. The pair of Salt and Kohli proved effective in the IPL 2025 season. While Salt can play explosive knocks using the fielding restrictions in the powerplay, Virat can play a long-standing innings under any circumstances. Along with Virat, the management has high expectations for Salt as well.
"We got a high-quality ad. Someone like Salt is still one of the top two to three batters in T20s. He enjoys his partnership with Kohli, a couple of gladiators walking out. We have a huge amount of confidence in Salt", Mo Bobat said.
Phil Salt's IPL 2025 batting stats in brief
Salt performed in a streamlined way in the previous season, scoring 403 runs in 13 matches and as many innings with an amazing strike rate of 175.98. During this number of games, the batter registered 4 half-centuries. He smashed 48 fours and 22 sixes to bolster the team's run rate.
In the upcoming season, Slat will play as the opener of the team as before. The fans and the management of the team want to see tons of runs from his bat, so that they can defend their title.
Read More: RCB boss breaks silence on Josh Hazlewood’s IPL 2026 status, drops big remark on Venkatesh Iyer
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