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Virat Kohli hits stunning straight six in nets ahead of RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opener [Watch]

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli was seen sweating it out in the nets at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, ahead of the team’s 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) opening encounter. The defending champions take on SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at home on Saturday, March 28.

The ace batter looked in fine touch during the practice session. A video on social media showed Kohli smashing a stunning six down the ground. He displayed aggressive intent in the nets, playing multiple attacking shots.

Here’s a glimpse of Kohli’s recent net session:

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli looked in great form during RCB’s second intrasquad match as well. The senior player scored 45 runs off 19 balls in the practice game.

Kohli was RCB’s leading run-scorer in IPL 2025, amassing 657 runs across 15 innings at a strike rate of 144.71. He struck eight half-centuries and averaged 54.75. Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in the final to clinch their maiden IPL title.


Virat Kohli gives throwdowns to his opening partner in RCB practice session ahead of IPL 2026

It is worth mentioning that Virat Kohli also turned to bowling during one of RCB’s practice sessions. He gave a few throwdowns to his opening partner Phil Salt in the nets. Kohli also dished out a couple of bouncers to the English batter.

Salt remarked amid the practice session:

“I think it’s just a few points looking ahead. I think it was the first time that we’ve been out here as a group, or for me anyway. So it’s just a few points about going forward what are we going to do this year, what do we plan to do. Just taking it to the next level, so just planning for that. Always good to chat cricket with him (Virat Kohli). That goes without saying.”

Kohli and Salt’s opening pair contributed significantly to RCB’s success in their title-winning IPL 2025 campaign. The two amassed 565 runs across 13 innings. The duo shared five fifty-plus stands in the edition.

Salt was RCB’s second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2025, chalking up 403 runs from 13 outings with a strike rate of 175.98.