Having first risen through the ranks with RCB as a technically sound top-order batter, he enjoyed early success in the IPL, forming strong partnerships and displaying maturity beyond his years. However, as the format evolved, the demands forced him into a period of introspection and adjustment, as per a press release from RCB.

A Period of Introspection

Speaking on that phase, Devdutt Padikkal said, "When things didn't go well, I didn't have answers. But that phase gave me that motivation and that fire to get better. Sometimes you need those failures along your journey to remind you how much harder you need to work."

A Determined Return to RCB

"The underlying factor was that he was very excited to play for RCB," Dinesh Karthik revealed. "On the first call, he said I couldn't be happier playing for any other team than RCB. I represented RCB, and I remember coming and watching matches as an RCB fan. And that set the tone for how we looked at him and how we wanted him to achieve certain things. His message was clear: 'I'm here, and I want to make a difference. Just tell me what you need.' And from that day, the first day in the camp, he actually was a man on a mission."

Commitment to Evolve

With clarity around his role and a commitment to evolve, Padikkal worked on expanding his game, particularly his scoring intent in T20 cricket. "When I got the opportunity with RCB again, I decided there were a lot of things I needed to change; I needed to really commit to working on those things regardless of what the outcome may be. It's not easy when you've grown up playing a certain way. I could have easily accepted that I'll stick to test cricket, but it was important for me to come out of that comfort zone and try to adapt." And with that resolve, Devdutt went on to score 247 runs, with a strike rate of 150, across 10 matches for RCB in 2025.

Maturity and Composure in IPL 2026

That growth is now translating into performance. His 50 off 29 against CSK showcased controlled aggression, while the 61 off 26 against SRH reflected a player operating at a significantly higher tempo, a clear indicator of his evolution in the shortest format. "In 2020-2021, I was a lot more scared as a young kid coming in. I feel over the years I've learned to handle everything that goes around in the IPL. At this point, I've reached a stage of maturity where I understand what I need to do to be at my best. And I feel a lot calmer and more composed, and I'm really happy at where I am, and I'm really enjoying my cricket," Devdutt reflected.

Praise and National Team Prospects

Speaking on Padikkal's growth, Dinesh Karthik said, "Devdutt Padikkal coming into 2025 was a very different Devdutt Padikkal to the one that left RCB earlier. He has learned to handle everything that comes with playing in the IPL, and the way he has adapted his game has been very impressive. If he continues in this rich vein of form, I don't think Team India can ignore him across formats. He is batting at a level which is a touch above a lot of other players."

As he continues to build on this strong start, Padikkal's journey stands as a testament to persistence, adaptability, and clarity of purpose. Two matches into IPL 2026, he is not just among the runs; he is setting the benchmark for what a complete T20 batter looks like in the modern game.

The defending champions, RCB, recorded their second successive win of the season with a 43-run win over the CSK. After posting a solid total of 250/3, thanks to fifties by Tim David (70*) and Devdutt Padikkal (50), and skipper Rajat Patidar’s 43-run knock, the hosts bundled out the visitors for 207 in 19.4 overs, despite a 25-ball 50 by Sarfaraz Khan and Prashant Veer’s cameo innings of 43 off 29 balls.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the bowling attack with figures of 3/41 at an economy rate of 10.20 in four matches. Jacob Duffy (2/58), Krunal Pandya (2/36), and Abhinandan Sharma (2/30) picked two wickets each to ensure the CSK never really recovered from the chase, sealing a convincing win for RCB.

Also Read: IPL 2026: CSK stuck to a bad plan without intervention, says Ambati Rayudu

CSK and RCB Fans Battle Off the Field

As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings were competing against each other on the field, tensions spilt over off the field, as fans of both sides were involved in showcasing their support through chants, banter, and a heated verbal exchange that quickly drew attention on social media.

One such incident took place during the match when a CSK fangirl was involved in a verbal exchange with a group of RCB supporters. In a video that went viral on social media, RCB fans were seen taunting her and her friends, seemingly over either a Chennai Super Kings wicket loss or the team’s defeat to the defending champions.

However, the CSK fangirl clapped back at the RCB supporters, engaging in a back-and-forth exchange before the police intervened and calmed the situation. The incident quickly went viral on social media.

Kalesh b/w RCB vs CSK fans during yesterday’s IPL matchpic.twitter.com/9WcL52Ys5Y

— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) April 6, 2026

The Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have a large fanbase across the country, and clashes between supporters, both on social media and in stadiums, are not uncommon, especially during high-stakes matches like this IPL 2026 encounter. Both sides are known for passionate fans, nd such exchanges reflect the fierce IPL rivalry.

RCB and CSK have faced off 36 times, including the recent clash, in IPL history, with Chennai Super Kings leading the head-to-head 21–14 over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two sides.

When will RCB and CSK Play their Next Match?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru couldn’t have asked for a better start to their quest for the maiden IPL title defence with two successive wins over the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Chennai Super Kings, both at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The RCB are currently at the second spot on the points table with four points and have a net run rate (NRR) of +2.501 from two matches.

Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, have had a disastrous start to their quest for the sixth IPL triumph, as they lost three matches on the trot against the Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and are currently at the bottom of the points table with a NRR of -2.517.

With two back-to-back wins, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will return to action when they take on the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, April 10.

While Chennai Super Kings will look to make a strong comeback and earn their first win of the season when they lock horns with Delhi Capitals at the Chepauk Stadium or MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. April 11.

Also Read: Varun Chakravarthy Injury Update: Will KKR Spinner Recover In Time For Eden Gardens Clash With LSG

Ashwin's Technical Breakdown

"Virat was still playing Test cricket in 2024. He was very still, the bat wouldn't move much. But now, here in 2026, the bat is down initially and later he brings it up, which we call potential energy, or the constant movement of the bat, and he is getting into lovely positions. In 2024, his head was so still that even the movement of his feet was balanced, because he was still playing Test cricket then. In 2026, since he doesn't play Test cricket anymore, he doesn't have to control his hands as much and is letting them go, going for more shots," Ashwin said on 'Champions vali Commentary'.

Kohli's Imperious IPL 2026 Form

Kohli looks imperious as an ODI-exclusive superstar for Team India. Coming into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 after an impressive ODI run earlier this year, he peeled off 69* in 38 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the campaign opener. He followed his fifty with a 28-run innings in 18 balls laced with two fours and a six against the five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday in Bengaluru.

RCB's Dominant Win Over CSK

RCB registered a commanding 43-run win over CSK in the IPL 2026 match on Sunday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Tim David's 25-ball 70-run innings, along with contributions from other batters, and an all-round effort with the ball led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, helped defending champions RCB clinch their second consecutive win of the season.

A Record-Breaking Career

Kohli also holds the record for the most runs in Indian Premier League history, amassing over 8,700 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and remains the only player to have crossed the 8,000-run milestone. (ANI)

The RCB registered their second successive win of the season with a 43-run win over the CSK. After posting a solid total of 250/3, thanks to brilliant fifties by Tim David (70*) and Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar’s 43-run knock, the hosts bundled out the visitors for 207 in 19.4 overs, despite a 25-ball 50 by Sarfaraz Khan and a 43-run cameo knock by Prashant Veer

Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the bowling attack with figures of 3/41 at an economy rate of 10.20 in four matches. Jacob Duffy (2/58), Krunal Pandya (2/36), and Abhinandan Sharma (2/30) picked two wickets each to ensure the CSK never really recovered from the chase, sealing a convincing win for RCB.

Also Read: How Virat Kohli's technique changed from still to fluid: Ashwin explains

Drinks Break Moment Goes Viral

During the strategic timeout after the 14th over of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting, head coach Andy Flower and batting coach Dinesh Karthik, alongside a few other players, ran on to the ground to provide drinks to Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar.

In a video that went viral on social media, Patidar was seen rushing towards the umpire in a visibly angry manner when an on-field umpire was seen offering a bottle to the RCB skipper, while Dinesh Karthik had a few words with the umpires, with Andy Flower looking on as the situation unfolded.

At the same time, Patidar and Karthik reacted in amusement and slight frustration before the umpire promptly returned the bottle.

Dinesh Karthik brought drinks for Rajat Patidar & Devdutt Padikkal… umpire grabbed one

Patidar angrily: “Return it!”

Umpire Saw them coming back and quickly returned it

Karthik, Andy Flower & Patidar’s reactions was hilarious

https://t.co/okFmeJO5gS

— CricketElysium (@ElysiumCricket) April 6, 2026

By the end of the 14th over, the RCB crossed the 150-run mark, with Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar sharing a 58-run partnership for the third wicket before the latter’s dismissal at 151/3.

Thereafter, Tim David and Patidar formed an unbeaten 99-run partnership for the fourth wicket, with the Australian batter contributing nearly 71 % of the runs in that stand, underlining his dominance and helping RCB post a commanding total.

Did Umpires Take Rajat Patidar’s Drink?

The viral video showed Rajat Patidar seemingly confronting the umpire over a drink during the strategic timeout. However, the actual situation was a miscommunication about the timeout itself. In the same video, the RCB batting coach Dinesh Karthik was seen having a conversation with Patidar, who asked him to talk to the umpire.

Karthik, Patidar, and head coach Rajat Patidar walked up to the on-field umpire, as the on-field official had mistakenly given the timeout signal, thinking RCB had requested it. Dinesh Karthik was seemingly asking one of the umpires about the timeout, clarifying that RCB had not actually requested it.

Therefore, the viral video on X (formerly Twitter) shows a moment that looked dramatic but was actually just a misunderstanding. No drink was forcibly taken, and the confrontation was simply the players clarifying the unintended timeout with the umpires before play resumed.

They are not worried about drink There was a miscommunication about timeout no one from rcb asked for time out umpire gave the singal and rajat asked dk and he said you guys asked for it rajat said no then the asked it to the umpire https://t.co/uNCacpdBK0

— Bhomit Parakh (@PBhomit) April 6, 2026

The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will look to continue their winning momentum when they take on the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, April 10.

The Rajat Patidar-led RCB is questing for the title defence, after having won their maiden IPL title last season, and joining the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in the elite list of teams to have successfully defended an IPL triumph, making them one of the most formidable sides in the ongoing 2026 season.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Why RCB’s Devdutt Padikkal was ‘Glad’ After Getting Out on 50 against CSK? Explained

After posting a solid total of 250/3, thanks to brilliant half-centuries by Tim David (70*) and Devdutt Padikkal (50), and skipper Rajat Patidar’s 43-run knock, the RCB bundled out the CSK for 207 in 19.4 overs, despite a fiery 25-ball 50 by Sarfaraz Khan and Prashant Veer’s cameo knock of 43 off 29 balls in the lower order, as hosts’ bowlers struck at regular regular intervals to seal a comfortable win over the CSK.

Devdutt Padikkal delivered his best again, carrying on the momentum from the RCB’s opening match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, wherein he scored 61 off 26 balls. However, the Karnataka batter made a surprising admission after his knock against the Chennai Super Kings.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Tim David's late surge was turning point, says CSK's Fleming

Padikkal ‘Glad’ Over his Dismissal After Fifty?

Devdutt Padikkal’s 29-ball 50 helped the Royal Challengers Bengaluru go past the 150-run mark in the 14th over, alongside a 58-run stand for the third wicket with skipper Rajat Patidar. However, the 25-year-old was happy to have been dismissed after completing his second consecutive fifty of the season.

Speaking to Star Sports after the RCB’s batting, Padikkal stated that he was ‘glad’ after his dismissal, as it allowed Tim David to unleash his carnage in the death overs.

“I think at the strategic timeout as well, we knew that we had to keep going, and it was an important phase from there on, and I’m probably glad that I got out because the way Tim went from there, it was incredible," Padikkal said.

T hitting  

Tim David unleashes absolute carnage at the end to power #RCB to 250 #TATAIPL 2026 | #RCBvCSK | LIVE NOW https://t.co/2TGcMIndez pic.twitter.com/ckzUAf7HeP

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 5, 2026

Walking in to bat at 151/3, Tim David took the Chennai Super Kings to the cleaners, as he played a blistering knock of 70 off 25 balls, including 8 sixes and 3 fours, at an impressive strike rate of 280. David survived a no-ball delivery by Anshul Kamboj before the Australian batter made the most of the lifeline, launching a brutal counterattack to punish the CSK bowlers and power RCB to a massive total.

Tim David formed a 99-run stand for the fourth wicket with Rajat Patidar, meaning he contributed nearly 71% of the partnership runs with the RCB skipper, underlining his dominance in the final overs.

Self-Belief is a Key to Success

Devdutt Padikkal, who had a moderate outing with RCB with 247 in 10 matches in the last IPL season, turned his game around with two consecutive half-centuries this season, highlighting a renewed sense of confidence and intent at the crease for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Padikkal credited his resurgence to improved self-belief, which has allowed him to play at a higher tempo and express himself more freely at the crease.

“It’s important that I believed in myself that I can really go out there and play at a very high tempo. Over the years, I’ve not been able to do that, and coming into the last year as well,” Devdutt Padikkal told Ravi Shastri.

“I wanted to make sure that I really believe in myself and make sure that I go out there and enjoy myself," he added.

28 BALL FIFTY BY DEVDUTT PADIKKAL. 

Excellent from Padikkal, he’s unstoppable tonight! pic.twitter.com/f6wlspPovk

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 5, 2026

Devdutt Padikkal carried on his impressive form from his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy exploits, where he scored 309 runs in six matches and 725 runs in nine matches, respectively, bringing that rich vein of domestic form into the ongoing season and emerging as one of RCB’s most in-form and impactful batters early in their title defence campaign.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Breaks Rivalry Norms, Applauds Sarfaraz Khan’s Fiery Innings Against RCB In IPL 2026 (WATCH)

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu criticised Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) strategy in their loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, saying the team clung to a flawed plan without intervention by any senior player. He suggested that taking a brief pause to reassess and guide the bowlers could have improved execution and potentially changed the outcome. "More than a bad plan, they just stuck to that bad plan. There was nobody to intervene and to just take some time off, take those 20-30 seconds, just make it slightly slower and then guide the bowler with a message. I think they should have slowed it down a little bit," Ambati Rayudu said as per ESPNcricinfo.

Rayudu's comments come after explosive knocks from Tim David, Devdutt Padikkal, and skipper Rajat Patidar helped RCB put up a massive 250/3 against five-time champions CSK. CSK, despite a 25-ball 50 from Sarfaraz Khan, a 43-run knock off 29 balls from Prashant Veer, and a 16-ball 37 cameo from Jamie Overton, fell short by 43 runs as the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK got bundled out for 207/10 in 19.4 overs.

Death Bowling Needs Improvement

Rayudu noted that while Chennai Super Kings' death bowling needs improvement, particularly in following up after conceding boundaries, their powerplay and middle-over bowling have been better compared to the previous match. "Their follow-up balls after a boundary or a six aren't great. Generally, as a bowler, you need to be aware that, okay, I have been hit for a six, but it's the next ball that matters. Whenever you see good death bowlers, they always follow up with a very good ball. But their powerplay bowling and middle-overs bowling were much better than what it was last game," Rayudu added. (ANI)

Sarfaraz’s innings arrived at a critical juncture. Chennai Super Kings were reeling at 30/3 inside the first three overs, staring at collapse. His counterattack reignited hopes of a fightback, but Krunal Pandya (2/36) halted the charge, dismissing him at 50. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/41) later removed Prashant Veer (43), breaking a 57‑run stand with Jamie Overton (37).

Kohli’s Gesture Highlights Southern Derby

The Southern Derby, anticipated for its intensity, fizzled out as CSK’s chase fell short. Yet Kohli’s public acknowledgment of Sarfaraz’s knock stood out, reflecting respect across rival lines. His gesture over the crowd noise became a talking point among fans, who praised the sportsmanship.

पवेलियन लौटते समय कोहली ने सरफराज को सीटी बजाकर उनकी बल्लेबाजी की सराहना की और ताली बजाई। कोहली का यह प्यारा सा भाव था। ❤️ pic.twitter.com/N7v5AVPvRz

— ममता ट्राबल (@Mamtasulaniya) April 5, 2026

Earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s innings was anchored by Devdutt Padikkal. He stitched two vital partnerships — 56 off 37 balls with Phil Salt (46) and a rapid 58 off 21 balls with Rajat Patidar. These alliances proved decisive on a Chinnaswamy pitch that initially offered little pace.

Salt’s calculated aggression guided RCB after Kohli’s early dismissal for 28. Dropped once on seven by Shivam Dube off Khaleel Ahmed, Kohli could not capitalize. Salt’s sixes off Noor Ahmad and Anshul Kamboj ensured RCB ended the Power Play at 51/1. His dismissal to Dube shifted momentum, but Padikkal and Patidar’s fireworks kept the scoreboard racing.

Gaikwad fell for seven runs, caught by Devdutt Padikkal off Jacob Duffy in the opening over. Ayush Mhatre followed soon after, dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for just one run. Sanju Samson, who had already been under scrutiny for his poor form, managed nine runs before being caught by Padikkal off Duffy.

CSK’s Batting Struggles Continue

At the end of three overs, CSK are reeling at 30-3, with Sarfaraz Khan unbeaten on 12 and Kartik Sharma yet to score. The early collapse left the side heavily dependent on their middle order, including Shivam Dube and Jamie Overton, to salvage the chase.

RCB’s bowlers struck early blows, with Duffy claiming two wickets in his two overs and Bhuvneshwar Kumar adding one in his solitary over. The economy rates of both bowlers has kept CSK under pressure, forcing mistakes from the top order.

The fall of wickets highlighted CSK’s lack of stability. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s dismissal came at 9-1 in the first over, Ayush Mhatre departed at 10-2 in the second, and Samson’s wicket left them at 30-3 before the end of the third.

With fans already frustrated by back-to-back defeats earlier in the season, the collapse against RCB intensified criticism of the captaincy and team management. The side’s inability to handle pressure has left supporters questioning decisions made ahead of IPL 2026.

A lot of CSK fans & experts scapegoated Ashwin, Tripathi, Shankar & Hooda as being the reasons CSK failed last year. That was just a part of it. 

The biggest cause was poor tactics & usage: things CSK have been the gold standard for in the past 19 years.

— Darshan Senthil (@dagiroxforever7) April 5, 2026

This is what separates good captains from the bad ones.

You have to think on your feet rather than going in with set plans.

Very poor game sense from Rutu here.

— Vibhor (@Vibhor4CSK) April 5, 2026

After all this you expect some fight and there’s this slightest hope of them chasing it down but then you see our opening pair come out bat where one believes you shouldn’t go all out from the start. 

These guys might ruin the IPL for me

— Robin (@robin_rounder) April 5, 2026

My man tried to play a 250 pitch in Bengaluru like he's facing prime Mitchell Johnson with the red ball in the tour of Australia. Beautiful.

— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) April 5, 2026

Sack Fleming or restrict him to overseas Superking franchise teams, his mindset doesn’t suit modern T20.

Also Chepauk is not the same old Chepauk anymore.

Worst ever cycle for CSK after Mega Auction.

— Ragav X (@ragav_x) April 5, 2026

We arent recovering from this until the next mega auction. And if the management isnt revamped before that. I dont even know what to say

— Sergio (@SergioCulerCSK) April 5, 2026

Out of 500+ bowlers in the auction, CSK couldn't find a single reliable bowler pic.twitter.com/R0rp8wn8ln

— Beast (@Beast__07_) April 5, 2026

Saying this again: apart from the core CSK squad built by late V. B. Chandrasekhar, which included Dhoni, Raina, and others, it has always felt like CSK never made great auction picks under Fleming.

Yet somehow, with Chepauk and Thala’s juju, they became the one of the greatest…

— Ragav X (@ragav_x) April 5, 2026

Sack the entire coaching panel immediately. Main problem is their mindset which results in bad auction strategy, old school cricketing approach and all. This is it. #csk #rcbvscsk #ipl

— sounak (@pal_sounak_123) April 5, 2026

The seasoned batter’s fearless shot brought the confidence to the home side, who looked determined to put Chennai Super Kings under pressure from the outset. Kohli’s cameo of 28 off 18 balls included two boundaries and a six, played at a strike rate of 155.56, before he was dismissed by Anshul Kamboj.

VIRAT KOHLI's NO LOOK SIX vs CSK pic.twitter.com/GKuLHU2VM1

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 5, 2026

RCB’s First Innings Fireworks

RCB finished with a commanding 250-3 in their 20 overs, scoring at a rate of 12.5 runs per over. Philip Salt contributed 46 off 30 balls, striking three fours and two sixes before falling to Shivam Dube. Devdutt Padikkal added 50 off 29 deliveries, maintaining a strike rate of 172.41, while captain Rajat Patidar remained unbeaten on 48 from just 19 balls, hammering six maximums.

The highlight of the innings came from Tim David, who smashed 70 not out off 25 balls. His explosive knock featured eight sixes and three fours, with a strike rate of 280.00, ensuring RCB finished strongly.

CSK’s bowlers struggled throughout the innings. Khaleel Ahmed conceded 37 runs in his four overs, while Matt Henry gave away 36 in three. Anshul Kamboj picked up Kohli’s wicket but leaked 52 runs. Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton also proved expensive, conceding 49 and 42 runs respectively. Shivam Dube managed one wicket but was taken for 30 runs in just two overs.

The fall of wickets saw Kohli depart at 37-1 in the fifth over, Salt dismissed at 93-2 in the 11th, and Padikkal bowled at 151-3 in the 15th. Partnerships flourished, with Salt and Kohli adding 38 runs, Salt and Padikkal building 56, and Padikkal with Patidar contributing 58. The final flourish came from Patidar and David, who stitched together an unbeaten stand of 99 runs in just 35 balls.

Kohli played a match-winning, unbeaten knock of 69 off 38 balls, including 5 sixes and as many as fours, at a strike rate of 181.58 to help the RCB chase down a 202-run target with 26 balls to spare. This was his first competitive outing in two months, with his last appearance being the ODI series against New Zealand in January.

Moreover, the veteran batter returned to T20 cricket after nearly a year, with his last outing in the format being in the IPL 2025 final, where RCB defeated Punjab Kings to clinch their maiden triumph of the tournament.

Also Read: RCB vs SRH, IPL 2026: Virat Kohli's 69-Run Knock Reinforces His White-Ball Dominance

‘I’m Not An Overseas Player’

Amid the IPL 2026, Virat Kohli found himself at the centre of online chatter about his stay in London, with some fans jokingly suggesting that RCB were fielding an extra overseas player. Mr Nags, aka Danish Sait, took a hilarious dig at the veteran batter, joking about the team fielding five overseas players in the playing XI.

In a video posted by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on its X handle, Mr Nags hilariously raised the ‘five overseas players’ joke, which Kohli immediately sensed was aimed at him, prompting a cheeky reply that quickly went viral on social media.

“I don’t know, why are you asking me? Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player. Am I an overseas player?” Kohli said.

VIRAT KOHLI ROASTS MR. NAGS  

Mr. Nags️: “People are saying RCB is playing with 5 overseas players…”

Virat Kohli ️: “I don’t know why you’re asking me… ask the overseas players! I’m not an overseas player.”

Mr. Nags ️: no pic.twitter.com/K1cWUJ6YxS

— Sam (@Cricsam01) April 4, 2026

Following his retirement from Test cricket in May last year, Virat Kohli and his family, including his actress wife Anushka Sharma and their two children, shifted to London to enjoy a more private life away from constant public scrutiny in India and to provide their children with a more normal upbringing.

10 days before the RCB’s opening IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Virat Kohli arrived in Bengaluru from London for the pre-season training camp, quickly getting back into rhythm with the squad ahead of the title defence.

Virat Kohli’s White-Ball Dominance Since His Test Retirement

Virat Kohli’s 69-run knock in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s opening IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad was his continuation of fine white-ball form since stepping away from Test cricket. Kohli retired from Tests and T20Is and is focusing solely on ODIs, intending to extend his career till the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Before his return to T20 cricket in the ongoing IPL season, Kohli played three ODI series against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, and amassed 616 runs, including 3 centuries and as many fifties, at an average of 88 in 9 matches. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, representing Delhi, he scored 131 and 77 against Andhra and Gujarat, respectively, underlining his rich vein of form heading into the IPL.

Since the veteran batter is playing only one format at the international level, his workload has significantly reduced, allowing him to stay fresh and extend his white-ball cricket. The IPL 2026 serves as a crucial platform for Virat Kohli as the BCCI selectors are expected to keep a close watch on his performance, form, and consistency to determine his role in India’s 2027 World Cup plans.

Virat Kohli will return to action when the Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on the Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, April 5.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Virat Kohli on managing workload after match-winning 69*

Kohli played a scintillating unbeaten knock of 69 off 38 balls, including 5 fours and as many sixes, at a strike rate of 181.58 to help the RCB chase down a 202-run target with 26 balls to spare or in 15.4 overs. His 101-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal (61 off 26 balls) for the second wicket and then a 53-run stand for the third wicket with skipper Rajat Patidar (31 off 12 balls) laid the foundation for an easy run chase.

Virat Kohli returned to T20 cricket after nearly a year, with his last appearance being in the IPL 2025 final between RCB and Punjab Kings, which the latter successfully clinched their maiden triumph of the tournament.

Also Read: Virat Kohli's Powerplay Evolution: A Shift to Aggression in IPL

Virat Kohli’s White-Ball Dominance Continues

Virat Kohli’s 69–run knock in the RCB’s IPL 2026 opener against the SRH was not just a match-winning innings, but his continued dominance in white-ball cricket. Though the 37-year-old returned to T20 cricket after nearly a year, he played three ODI series and two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before the ongoing season of the IPL.

Across three ODI series against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, Kohli amassed 616 runs, including 3 centuries and as many fifties, at an average of 88 in 9 matches. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, representing Delhi, he scored 131 and 77 against Andhra and Gujarat, respectively, underlining his rich vein of form heading into the IPL.

After consecutive ducks in the first two ODIs of the three-match series against Australia in Australia, Virat Kohli roared back to form in the final game. He carried that momentum forward, turning a brief slump into yet another example of his remarkable consistency.

One step forward… and BOOM - straight into the stands! ‍

72 metres of pure King energy - this isn’t batting, this is a royal return!

Screen badi, awaazein badi. Apne smart TV ke JioHotstar app pe dekhiye Champions waali commentary LIVE#TATAIPL 2026 | #RCBvSRH | LIVE… pic.twitter.com/nEifAWMBf9

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 28, 2026

That straight drive? Straight-up cinema ‍

Virat Kohli just paints the ground with perfection ✨

Screen badi, awaazein badi. Apne smart TV ke JioHotstar app pe dekhiye Champions waali commentary LIVE#TATAIPL 2026 | #RCBvSRH | LIVE NOW https://t.co/LWOEeT2vNG pic.twitter.com/nZAastmRuM

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 28, 2026

Virat Kohli’s seamless return to T20 cricket, backed by his dominant run in ODIs, highlights not just his consistency but his enduring hunger to perform at the highest level. The veteran Indian batter retired from the T20Is after Team India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, choosing to bow out on high. Still, his performance in the IPL, emerging as the RCB’s highest run-getter in the last season, continues to underline that his T20 prowess remains as sharp and impactful as ever.

Kohli has shifted his focus towards ODI cricket, intending to extend his illustrious international career till the 2027 World Cup, following his retirement from the T20Is and Tests, with a clear aim of peaking on the global stage once again and adding another major ICC title to his already glittering legacy.

A Record-Breaking Outing for Virat Kohli

During his 69-run match-winning knock in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Virat Kohli shattered several records, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest batters in the history of the IPL.

Kohli recorded his 21st IPL fifty in a successful run chase, the most by any batter in the tournament’s history, further highlighting his unparalleled consistency and reliability as a chase master in the IPL. The veteran Indian batter has become the first batter to complete 4000 runs in IPL run chases. Virat Kohli has amassed 4027 runs out of 8730 runs in run chases, meaning nearly half of his IPL runs have come while chasing.

Additionally, Virat Kohli has registered his 28th T20 half-century at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the most by any batter at a single venue in the history of the format across all levels, further cementing his status as the most dominant batter at a single venue in T20 history.

Caption for this graphic is the headline of this static! #TATAIPL 2026 #MIvKKR | SUN, 29th MAR, 6.30 PM pic.twitter.com/303R4saiYP

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 28, 2026

Virat Kohli’s record-breaking outing, alongside the RCB’s dominant start to the IPL title defence, sets the tone for what could be another stellar season for both the talismanic batter and the franchise.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Vettori hails 'incredible' Harsh Dubey as a 'real asset'

‘I’m Not Coming Back Underprepared’

Ahead of Virat Kohli’s return to competitive cricket, there were concerns about whether the veteran Indian batter would need time to regain his rhythm after a long T20 break, but he put those doubts emphatically to rest with a commanding, match-winning performance in the opener.

Speaking at the post-match interview, Kohli emphasized that he never returns underprepared, highlighting how breaks help him stay mentally and physically ready, allowing him to perform at full intensity whenever he steps back onto the field.

“I knew as long as I have the rhythm, and I’ve put enough work physically behind the scenes with my fitness, things should come together nicely. And yeah, tonight was another chance to start strong and build on this,” the 37-year-old said.

“The kind of scheduling that we’ve had over the last 15 years and the amount of cricket I’ve played, for me, there was always a risk of getting burnt out rather than being undercooked. So these breaks help me mentally. I stay fresh, I stay excited.

“Whenever I come back to play, it’s 120%. I’m not coming back underprepared. In fact, the extra rest helps me mentally freshen up. And as long as you’re physically fit and mentally excited, both those things come together nicely,” he added.

The IPL 2026 serves as a crucial platform for Virat Kohli as the BCCI selectors are expected to keep a close eye on the veteran batter in order to determine his role and form ahead of the upcoming international assignments, particularly with the 2027 ODI World Cup in focus.

The dismissal came off the bowling of Abhinandan Singh, but it was Salt’s brilliance in the field that stole the spotlight. Kishan had been the backbone of SRH’s innings, striking at a rate of 210.52 and keeping the scoreboard ticking even as wickets fell around him. His departure was seen as a turning point, with fans reacting instantly online.

“Took Another Out‑Worldly Catch”

Supporters highlighted Phil Salt’s effort as one of the defining moments of the match. Many described the catch as “out‑worldly,” noting that it followed his earlier dismissal of Heinrich Klaasen. The double impact from Salt’s fielding left SRH’s batting order exposed, with the middle and lower order now tasked with salvaging the innings.

Catch of the tournament by Sir Phil Salt in the first match of the season . Salttyyyyy❤️ pic.twitter.com/l6sxClH8yM

— !_ (@bholination) March 28, 2026

Earlier, SRH had struggled at the top. Abhishek Sharma managed only 7 before falling to Jacob Duffy, while Travis Head contributed 11 before also being caught by Salt. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 1 from 6 balls added to the early woes, leaving SRH at 29/3. Klaasen’s 31 provided some resistance, but his dismissal again came courtesy of Salt’s sharp fielding.

By the 17th over, SRH had reached 167/7, with Aniket Verma unbeaten on 20 from 10 balls. Salil Arora (9) and Harsh Dubey (3) also fell cheaply, while Romario Shepherd and Suyash Sharma chipped in with wickets.

Jacob Duffy remained the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 3/22 from four overs. Shepherd added two wickets, while Singh and Suyash Sharma claimed one each.

AB de Villiers ✅
Phil Salt ✅

Tough call… which one wins? #IPL2026 #RCBvsSRH pic.twitter.com/FwV7UfE5FH

— Khan (@ccricket713) March 28, 2026

Ishan Kishan girlfriend to phil salt pic.twitter.com/zRUluaQm0v

— Nastik Rahul (@nastikrahul22) March 28, 2026

Phil Salt is as good a fielder as Glenn Phillips!!

— Kevin (@imkevin149) March 28, 2026

3 stunning catches so far by Phil salt 

SALUTE to you man ....Take a bow 

Amazing efforts pic.twitter.com/7nxMf7zDzz

— Antardhwani ⚛️✡️ (@Antarecho) March 28, 2026

Klaasen had scored 31 runs off 22 balls, striking two boundaries and a six at a strike rate of 140.90. His dismissal came at 13.1 overs, with Romario Shepherd claiming the wicket. Salt’s sharp effort in the field drew immediate attention, as SRH slipped to 126/4.

Salt’s Catch Shifts Momentum

The dismissal was crucial as Klaasen had begun to accelerate alongside captain Ishan Kishan, who remained unbeaten on 72 from 34 balls. Kishan’s aggressive innings kept SRH’s run rate high at 9.40, but Klaasen’s exit halted the momentum. Fans highlighted Salt’s catch as a turning point, praising the awareness and execution.

Your call. I believe the cushion clearly was displaced by Salt’s feet while completing the catch. Not out and six, bad call, don't know how you can fluff that up as a third umpire. Klaasen was not out.#IPL2026 https://t.co/yQDyLM6BY8 pic.twitter.com/7HzMiQqSvR

— Adarsh (@adarshisit) March 28, 2026

Earlier, SRH’s top order faltered. Abhishek Sharma managed only 7 runs before falling to Jacob Duffy, while Travis Head contributed 11 before also being dismissed by Duffy. Nitish Kumar Reddy followed soon after, scoring just 1 run from 6 balls.

At 127/4 after 13.3 overs, SRH’s batting relied heavily on Kishan to carry the innings. Salil Arora is unbeaten on 1, with several batters yet to come, including Aniket Verma and Harshal Patel.

Duffy’s Early Impact

Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler in the early stages, taking three wickets for 22 runs in his four overs. His dismissals of Sharma, Head, and Reddy left SRH struggling at 29/3 before Klaasen’s partnership with Kishan steadied the innings.

Romario Shepherd’s breakthrough, aided by Salt’s catch, ensured SRH’s middle order was under pressure once again. With the fall of Klaasen, SRH’s hopes of building a strong finish rested on Kishan’s ability to maintain his aggressive tempo.

Abhishek Sharma continued his poor form, scoring just 7 runs from 8 balls before being caught off Jacob Duffy. His strike rate of 87.50 highlighted his struggles, and fans quickly expressed frustration at his inability to provide a solid start.

Travis Head, who looked more fluent, managed 11 runs from 8 deliveries with one boundary. However, he too was dismissed by Duffy, leaving SRH at 18/2 inside three overs. The double blow put immediate pressure on the middle order.

Fans Question SRH’s Opening Choices

Supporters voiced concern that SRH’s top order remains vulnerable, with Sharma’s inconsistency and Head’s early dismissal adding to the worries. Online reactions pointed to the need for stronger starts, especially against Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s bowling attack.

At the time of the dismissals, Ishan Kishan was unbeaten on 1, while Heinrich Klaasen and others are yet to bat. SRH’s total stood at 19/2 after 2.4 overs, with the run rate at 7.12.

Jacob Duffy emerged as the standout bowler early on, claiming both wickets while conceding just 9 runs in 1.4 overs. His disciplined line and ability to strike twice in quick succession drew praise, while SRH fans lamented their side’s shaky beginning.

With the middle order featuring Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and others, attention turned to whether SRH could recover from the early setbacks. Fans continued to debate the team’s batting strategy, questioning if changes were needed at the top.

Abhishek Sharma gone for 7 in 8 balls.

NO PARTY TONIGHT FOR ABHISHEK SHARMA TONIGHT. #RCBvsSRH pic.twitter.com/2siGksnlHj

— A D U (@cricfootadnan) March 28, 2026

Abhishek Sharma - Travis loves to bat against RCB
pic.twitter.com/joBRFCvCVW

— Aadi26 (@AdityaC56467781) March 28, 2026

THE DEBUTANT JACOB DUFFY HAS REMOVED ABHISHEK SHARMA AND TRAVIS HEAD IN A SINGLE OVER #RCBvsSRH pic.twitter.com/y9cBG2fMd6

— Wicket and Warrior (@WicketNWarrior) March 28, 2026

Abhishek Sharma Out On 7.
- A Tribute For Thala.
#RCBvsSRH#ViratKohli#TATAIPL2026#AbhishekSharma pic.twitter.com/HbMosQawxE

— Bugs Bunny (@bunnyhumai) March 28, 2026

Whenever abhishek sharma facing world class bowler he is exposed.

And i also want to see kavya maran crying because he bought terrorist abrar Ahmed.
Go RCB#RCBvsSRH pic.twitter.com/3ediF93cX8

— ria s (@jabraViratFan) March 28, 2026

Happy to see kavya maran facing humiliation today. Hope all IPL teams follow the same against SRH

— Munna bhaiya !MBBS (@honey_sing26004) March 28, 2026

Srh ka har sal ka hai accha khelo aur fr bhot bura khelo at least make it a bit interesting ye to kohli akele bnadega

— . (@ItsMaahiRajput) March 28, 2026

SRH FINISH AT LAST THIS SEASON THAT'S THE TWEET...#RCBvsSRH

— Mayank@29 (@BollywoodBuzz14) March 28, 2026

The gesture gained popularity after Mahika Jadhav, an X user, posted a photo of the message with an emotional remark about India's deep-rooted cricket tradition. She talked on how sports have always been a part of everyday life in the country, and how the IPL reignites that excitement every year. She also emphasised RCB fans' everlasting commitment, citing how their belief, summed up in the classic "Ee Sala Cup Namde" slogan, stays consistent season after season.

Check Out Viral Post

There’s something about cricket in India that you can’t really explain. It’s been there since childhood, in the background of every home, every conversation, every summer. And then IPL comes around and suddenly it’s everywhere again.

And RCB fans, honestly, the most patient and… pic.twitter.com/KayCaxPHVO

— Mahika Jadhav (@mahikaa101) March 28, 2026

How Did Social Media React?

Her post went viral online, with many people praising both the auto driver's charity and the unwavering loyalty of RCB fans. Several responses commended fandom's attitude, with one user describing it as a sign of real enthusiasm and generosity, adding that true fans frequently go above and above to encourage others.

Others saw RCB as more than simply a cricket team, describing it as an emotion that unites people throughout the city. Some further noted that such ardent supporters are rarely recognised, implying that gestures like as free match tickets or fan meet-ups may be used to reward their commitment.

Another group of users shared a frequent view among RCB fans: their excitement remains consistent regardless of the team's results. They said that whether they won or lost, the intensity never faded, making Bengaluru's fan culture one of the most unique in the world.

“After 14 seasons in the IPL, I’ve decided not to put my name into the auction this year. It’s a big decision, and one that comes with a lot of gratitude when I look back,” du Plessis said in a statement.

Instead of continuing in the IPL, du Plessis opted to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), seeking new experiences and challenges. He wanted to explore a different environment and improve as a player. However, his plans were disrupted after suffering a ligament tear in his right thumb during SA20 2025, ruling him out of the remainder of that season and PSL 2026.

Struggles In Final IPL Season

In IPL 2025, du Plessis represented Delhi Capitals but endured a difficult campaign. He scored 202 runs in nine innings at an average of 22.44 and a strike rate of 123.92. Following the season, Delhi released him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.

IPL Career Highlights

Du Plessis enjoyed a decorated IPL career spanning from 2012 to 2025. He played for Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals. In 154 matches, he amassed 4773 runs at an average of 35.09 and a strike rate of 135.78. His record includes 39 half-centuries, with a highest score of 96.

His standout seasons came in 2021 with Chennai Super Kings, scoring 633 runs, and in 2023 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he piled up 730 runs. He crossed 300 runs in nine different seasons. With CSK, he won the IPL twice, in 2018 and 2021. He remains the fourth-highest overseas run scorer in IPL history.

Although retired from the IPL, du Plessis continues to play in other franchise leagues. He represents Joburg Super Kings in SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket.

Ashwin was speaking on his YouTube Channel, 'Ash Ki Baat'. RCB and SRH, two power-packed batting units spearheaded by Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, will be locking horns at Bengaluru. The last time both these teams collided at Bengaluru, it resulted in SRH scoring the highest IPL total ever, posting 287/3. In reply, RCB did not give up either despite regular fall of wickets, with a 28-ball 62 by skipper Faf Du Plessis and a 35-ball 83 by Dinesh Karthik taking RCB to 262/7 from a spot of bother at 122/5.

Ashwin on 'Mission 300'

Speaking on 'Ash ki Baat', Ashwin said that batting-friendly wickets, some explosive batting line-ups and some weak bowling units could help the 'Mission 300' be achieved once and for all. "Mission 300 is truly on. This time, I have a feeling from within that the 300-run mark will be crossed. I've been looking at some of the batting line-ups, some of the bowling line-ups are also not upto the mark. So, if the wickets are good, then there are chances of 300 being scored," he said.

IPL's Evolution into a Run-Fest

Over the last three seasons or so, the IPL has slowly evolved into an absolute run-fest, with several batting total records and powerplay records being broken, particularly by SRH. With teams getting an extra batter with the 'Impact Player' rule, they have more liberty to go hard right from ball one.

A total of 12 250-plus scores have been seen in IPL so far, with only one of them coming in 2013, RCB's 263/5 against Pune Warriors India powered by a 175* from Chris Gayle.

The 2024 edition was the harshest one for bowlers, as eight 250-plus scores meant that bowlers were reduced to being throwing machines.

Last season, two 250-plus scores came up, both scored by SRH. The first being 286/6 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Hyderabad, driven by an explosive Ishan Kishan ton and later 278/3 against Delhi Capitals at Delhi, thanks to a 39-ball 105* by Heinrich Klaasen.

Analysis on Key Player Absences

Speaking about the opening match, Ashwin reflected on the absence of two premier Australian bowlers, SRH skipper Pat Cummins and RCB's Josh Hazlewood, saying that RCB needs Hazlewood more than SRH needs their skipper because of his movement, swing, death overs excellence and experience.

"As much as SRH need Pat Cummins, RCB need Josh Hazlewood even more. Hyderabad has a lot of power in this game. When there is even a little bit of seam movement and swing, Josh Hazlewood executes excellently. Even in death, he is a guy from whom everyone can learn. It is not as if he bowls only yorkers under pressure; he bowls the hard lengths, yorkers, mixes it up. Hazlewood is not there for this game, which is a very very big loss for RCB," Ashwin added. (ANI)

Lessons from Chinnaswamy Experience

Reflecting on the team's experiences at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Flower noted that the side has taken valuable lessons from previous outings at the venue. "We lost our first three matches at Chinnaswamy last year, and we learned from those experiences. Conditions might be slightly different this time as well, so we'll have to assess that. But at your home venue, you should have a better understanding of the nuances of the conditions than your opposition. We've been practising here and talking a lot about those aspects, so I'd like to think we'll be slightly ahead of the opposition on our own surface," he said.

Praise for Leadership Group

Flower also spoke about the leadership group within the squad, praising captain Rajat Patidar and his deputy Jitesh Sharma. "It's pretty amazing that in Rajat's first year of captaincy, he led RCB to the trophy. He's a very likeable man, and he's well respected in the dressing room. He stays nice and calm, which the bowlers really appreciate. Jitesh is a very good deputy as well. He's energetic, tactically aware and sees a lot of the game from behind the stumps, so having those two working together around the square is valuable for the team," he added.

Squad Update and Player Form

Confidence in Virat Kohli

Reflecting on the form of Virat Kohli, Flower expressed confidence in the senior batter's mindset and preparation heading into the season. "Virat is in a really good space mentally. He's very comfortable with himself but still incredibly hungry, and watching him strike the ball in training, he looks at the peak of his powers," Flower said.

Spotlight on Domestic Pacers

Discussing the bowling options within the squad, Flower expressed confidence in the domestic seamers available to the side. "We're happy with the Indian seamers in the squad. Rasikh is a better bowler than he was last year, and he's worked very hard on his game. We're also pleased to have recruited Mangesh, and we've been encouraged by Abhinandan's progress recently. All three have qualities that put them in good shape if they get their opportunities in this tournament," Flower said.

Josh Hazlewood Fitness Update

Flower also provided an update on Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. "Hazlewood arrived yesterday, and he's looking fit. It's great to have him back around the dressing room and involved in our meetings again. He won't be ready for tomorrow because he's just arrived, but we'll monitor his fitness closely, and we're looking forward to him making his entrance into the IPL soon," he said. (ANI)

Hazlewood to miss season opener

Speaking to reporters during a press conference on the eve of the season opener, Flower said, "Hazlewood arrived yesterday. He's looking fit. I did comment to him that he looks even younger than I remember him, so he's enjoyed some good downtime, but he's worked hard to get himself back up to full fitness. It's great to have him here. It's even great to have him here in our dressing room and in the meetings. He won't be ready for tomorrow, because he's just got off the plane, and we'll be monitoring his fitness very closely and looking forward to him making his entrance into the IPL."

The 35-year-old Hazlewood was a key part of RCB's title-winning campaign last year, finishing third in the top wicket-takers list with 22 wickets at an economy rate of 8.77.

Flower on Indian pacers

The head coach also spoke about the availability of Indian pacers in the squad this year and praised the young Indian seamers trio of Abhinandan Singh, Rasikh Dar Salam and Mangesh Yadav. Speaking about the Indian pacers, the head coach said, "Yash (Dayal) is not with us this year, unfortunately. So we have Mangesh, Abhinandan, and Rasikh all competing for a place. I'm not going to tell you now who's playing tomorrow, but we're happy with recruiting Mangesh, a left-arm seamer, to replace Yash Dayal." The onus will be on Mangesh as he was bought for Rs 5.20 crore at the mini auction last year.

"We're also happy with Abhinandan's progress. He's bowled a lot more in matches just recently, played in the recent DY Patil competition and did really well. And I think Rasikh is a better bowler than he was last year. He's obviously been working very hard himself, and he shows a lot of qualities that could stand him in really good stead if he gets the chance in this tournament. So we're happy with those three Indian seamers," said Flower.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru full squad for IPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru full squad for IPL 2026: Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, Nuwan Thushara, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Virat Kohli, Vihaan Malhotra (Rs 30 lakh), Jordan Cox (Rs 75 lakh), Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 7 Cr), Satvik Deswal (Rs 30 lakh), Mangesh Yadav (Rs 5.20 Cr), Vicky Ostwal (Rs 30 lakh), Kanishk Chouhan (Rs 30 lakh), Jacob Duffy (Rs 2 Cr). (ANI)

His remarks came after Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar suggested that every MLA should receive at least five IPL tickets, claiming that elected representatives are "VIPs" who shouldn't have to wait in line.

Government Reviews Security Ahead of IPL Opener

The IPL 2026 season at Chinnaswamy Stadium will kick off on March 28, with defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Ahead of the opening IPL fixture, Karnataka Government Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh held a meeting with the concerned officials and KSCA office bearers on Friday.

"With the IPL tournaments starting from tomorrow, State Government Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh held a meeting with the concerned officials and KSCA office bearers on safety and gave advice and instructions. She got information about the security arrangements made inside and around the stadium for the safety of cricket lovers, changes made in the city's traffic system, parking arrangements, drinking water inside the stadium and other essential things. She got information from the officials about the density of passengers falling on the metro, the metro running schedule, the additional security provided at the metro stations, and safety and gave many instructions to be careful not to allow even a minor unpleasant incident," as per a statement from Karnataka CMO.

Rajneesh instructed to follow the conditions and precautionary measures imposed by the government for organising IPL matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

"She instructed in the meeting to strictly follow the conditions and precautionary measures imposed by the government for organising the tournament. She gave instructions that the concerned officials and organisations should be on high alert, and also. She gave instructions that the relevant information should be exchanged with the above officials regularly. The meeting was attended by the KSCA Board of Directors, office bearers, RCB office bearers, City Police Commissioner, GBA Commissioner, Metro MD and heads of relevant departments," the statement added.

Match Preview: RCB vs SRH

Having clinched their maiden IPL title last year, RCB head into the new season as one of the frontrunners, though Sunrisers Hyderabad are expected to pose a serious challenge. Hyderabad boast a formidable batting lineup featuring explosive players like Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nitish Reddy.

RCB, meanwhile, will rely on the experience and firepower of stars such as Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Jitesh Sharma. Both teams will be eager to start their campaigns on a winning note. (ANI)

Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out of at least the opening phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 after failing to clear a mandatory fitness test conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket, dealing a fresh setback to the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, Thushara's failure to meet the required benchmark has resulted in the Sri Lanka board withholding a no-objection certificate (NOC), making him unavailable for immediate participation in the tournament. According to SLC guidelines, players must secure a minimum score of 17 out of 29 across five fitness parameters to be eligible for selection in overseas leagues. SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva confirmed that the pacer did not achieve the qualifying mark. However, Thushara will have another opportunity to undergo the fitness assessment after a gap of four to five days.

Impact on Defending Champions RCB

The development adds to RCB's growing concerns ahead of their campaign opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. The franchise is already coping with the absence of Yash Dayal. However, the Australian quick bowler Josh Hazlewood joined the squad on Thursday.

Thushara's participation in RCB's second fixture against Chennai Super Kings on April 5 also remains doubtful. A second failure in the fitness test could potentially sideline him from competitive cricket for an extended period.

Other Sri Lankan Players Face Fitness Hurdles

Meanwhile, other Sri Lankan players are also facing fitness-related hurdles ahead of the IPL. Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga are yet to complete their fitness tests due to ongoing injury recoveries. Pathirana, who was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf injury and is expected to join the squad only around mid-April. Hasaranga, signed by Lucknow Super Giants, is recovering from a hamstring issue that forced him out of the recent T20 World Cup.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Full Squad for IPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru full squad for IPL 2026: Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, Nuwan Thushara, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Vihaan Malhotra (Rs 30 lakh), Jordan Cox (Rs 75 lakh), Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 7 Cr), Satvik Deswal (Rs 30 lakh), Mangesh Yadav (Rs 5.20 Cr), Vicky Ostwal (Rs 30 lakh), Kanishk Chouhan (Rs 30 lakh), Jacob Duffy (Rs 2 Cr). (ANI)

Virat Kohli's love for tattoos is well known. The star batter, who already sports several tattoos, recently got inked again, just a few days before the start of IPL 2026. The studio behind Kohli's new tattoo, Aliens Tattoo, provided an in-depth glimpse into the design of the former RCB skipper's ink on his left arm. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aliens Tattoo (@alienstattooindia) As per Aliens Tattoo, the design of Kohli's ink symbolises his personal evolution over the years.

Instead of just adding a single design, the intention was to craft a unified piece that blends his past experiences with his present mindset. The artwork features motifs such as the lotus and peony, which are commonly linked to resilience and growth. The personal meaning of each element was intentionally kept private. The project involved artists meticulously working with Virat Kohli's existing tattoos, including an incomplete armband inspired by Shiva, alongside other designs reflecting various stages of his life.

Crafting a Cohesive Sleeve

"His left arm was not a blank canvas. It already carried years of ink, an incomplete armband, older tattoos, elements that belonged to different phases of his life. Some had aged. Some had lost their clarity. Some no longer reflected the precision and intent they once held. The approach was deliberate. Some parts needed to be covered. Some needed to be refined and restored. And much more needed to be added -- with purpose. To take scattered fragments and transform them into a single, cohesive sleeve that flows as one," according to Aliens Tattoo.

Eyeing New Milestones in IPL and T20 Cricket

Meanwhile, on the cricket front, Virat will be eyeing another fiery IPL season with the bat that would keep the crowds happy and statisticians busy. Currently at 8,661 runs in 267 matches with eight centuries and 63 fifties, Virat will also be aiming to become the first player to reach the 9,000 run mark in IPL history.

Having made 9,085 runs in 282 matches for RCB across IPL and now-defunct Champions League T20, Virat is one extraordinary season away from becoming the first-ever player to score 10,000 runs for a single IPL team in all of T20 cricket.

Having made 13,543 runs in 414 T20Is, including nine centuries and 105 fifties, Virat will also be aiming to join West Indies titans Chris Gayle (14,562 runs), Kieron Pollard (14,482 runs), England's Alex Hales (14,449 runs), and Australian legend David Warner (14,028 runs) as the fifth member of the 14,000-run club in T20 cricket.

Recap of Last Season's Performance

Last season, Virat scored 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, with eight fifties to his name, finishing as the team's leading run-getter and third-highest run-getter overall. (ANI)

The issue surfaced during the Assembly session, where Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar demanded that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) allocate at least five tickets per MLA. He argued that elected representatives deserved special consideration, stating MLAs are “VIPs” and “cannot stand in the queue.”

The demand did not remain isolated. Lawmakers from both the ruling party and the opposition echoed similar concerns, alleging that they were being treated disrespectfully by the KSCA. Some MLAs complained that they were either denied tickets or asked to book them online like ordinary citizens, which they viewed as inappropriate for public representatives.

Kashappanavar further criticized the cricket body, pointing out that it benefits from government support, including security and infrastructure. “They are taking all facilities from the government… but not respecting MLAs,” he said, questioning why legislators should be made to struggle for tickets.

Also Read: MLA accuses KSCA of selling IPL tickets in black market for high price

The controversy intensified as opposition leaders joined the debate. Senior BJP leader R. Ashoka accused the KSCA of charging exorbitant prices for tickets despite receiving land from the government at nominal rates. He argued that the association was “looting” elected representatives while enjoying state-backed privileges.

Some MLAs also demanded separate seating arrangements or dedicated lounges, claiming that general seating fails to reflect their status. “When we go to watch the match, we don’t get respect,” one legislator said, pushing for exclusive enclosures for ministers and MLAs.

Responding to the uproar, Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader suggested that the government intervene and engage with the KSCA to resolve the issue. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar assured the House that he would take up the matter with the association, indicating a possible administrative solution.

The IPL 2026 season is set to begin on March 28, with Bengaluru hosting key matches, adding urgency to the dispute.

However, the episode has triggered criticism beyond political circles, with many questioning whether elected representatives should demand privileges for sporting events. The debate now extends beyond tickets—raising larger questions about accountability, public perception, and the limits of VIP culture in a democracy.

Also Read: GST Overhaul: Watching Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit in IPL to Get Costlier under New Tax Regime; Explained

All 10 teams will play four matches each in the first phase of the IPL 2026, and the remaining fixtures will be announced soon, as the BCCI was awaiting the Election Commission of India (ECI) to finalise the dates for the State Assembly Elections before announcing the rest of the schedule.

The tournament is likely to feature 84 matches in a double round robin format, with each team playing a total of 16 league matches before the playoffs. The playoffs will begin on May 26, with Qualifier 1 before Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and Final, which is scheduled for May 31.

Also Read: Why Chennai Super Kings Opening With Sanju Samson & Ruturaj Gaikwad Could Backfire in IPL 2026

No Opening Ceremony in Bengaluru

Before the beginning of every IPL season, an opening ceremony is usually held featuring star-studded performances, music, and festivities to mark the start of the tournament. However, for IPL 2026, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will not witness the grand opening ceremony before the season opener between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The move was made by the BCCI to honour the victims of the stampede tragedy outside Bengaluru’s iconic cricket stadium. In June last year, 11 people lost their lives, and 50 others were injured in a tragic stampede outside the stadium during a large number of fans gathering to celebrate the RCB’s historic maiden IPL triumph.

Recently, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) decided to honour the victims of the stampede tragedy by leaving 11 seats empty in the stadium during every home match. Additionally, the memorial plaque was unveiled outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

BREAKING: NO OPENING CEREMONY IN IPL 2026

BCCI Secretary has confirmed there will be no opening ceremony at Chinnaswamy Stadium. This decision is a mark of respect for the tragic stampede on June 4th last year, where 11 fans lost their lives.

✅ Instead: A grand… pic.twitter.com/9UhZyXj8To

— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) March 26, 2026

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium will host the season opener for the first time since the debut match of the IPL between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders, and will see fans return to witness top-tier cricket while the stadium also stands as a solemn reminder of last year’s tragic stampede.

Devajit Saikia Confirms Cancellation of IPL 2026 Opening Ceremony

The cancellation of the opening ceremony for the IPL 2026 has been confirmed by the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. According to the report by The Times of India (TOI), Saikia stated that the board will not hold any formal function or cultural program at the start of the season in Bengaluru as a mark of respect to the victims of last year’s stampede tragedy.

However, the BCCI secretary added that the closing ceremony of the season will take place as usual before the final match.

“Due to last year's tragic incident on June 4 last year, there will be no formal function on the day of the start of IPL-2026 (in Bengaluru). The BCCI is not organising any cultural or entertainment show at the start of IPL-19 as a mark of respect to the departed souls due to that tragedy on June 4, 2025," Devajit Saikia said.

“However, the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council are planning a grand entertainment function at the closing of the IPL, on the day of the final (May 31)," he added.

This is not the first time the opening match of the IPL season will take place without a traditional opening ceremony. In 2019, the BCCI decided to cancel the opening ceremony to honour the families of the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack and the funds for the event were donated to the families of the fallen heroes. reflecting the board’s commitment to pay tribute through meaningful action rather than festivities.

Between 2020 and 2022, there were no IPL opening ceremonies due to COVID-19 protocols, with the team focusing on bio-bubbles and safety measures to ensure the tournament could proceed amid the pandemic.

Also Read: From Cricketer to RCB Chairman: Aryaman Vikram Birla Takes Over in Record-Breaking IPL Deal

Sharing the tweet on X, Mallya wrote, "I would like to heartily congratulate the new owners of RCB. I wish them the very best and Godspeed with the most valuable IPL franchise. When I bought the franchise in 2008 for INR 450 crores, most people laughed at me and criticised my investment as a vanity project. Behind my much touted madnesses was building the Royal Challenge brand, and hence I named the franchise RCB. Immensely gratifying to see my INR 450 crore investment grow to INR 16,500 crores. RCB will always remain a part of my DNA with indelible memories, including picking the young Virat Kohli, who is now amongst the best in the World. To all RCB fans who came on board during my stewardship and beyond, a grateful thank you, and please continue to support RCB, the Lion of Bengaluru. Namaskara."

From 'Vanity Project' to Global Appeal

At a time when the IPL was still finding its footing, Mallya's Rs 450 crore investment in 2008 drew widespread criticism, with many deeming it extravagant. However, the move paid off, his franchise's decision to pick a young Virat Kohli, then India U19 World Cup captain, has played a significant role in the team's enduring global appeal, with Kohli's subsequent success and massive fan following helping cement the franchise's status as a fan favourite.

New Era for RCB with Landmark Sale

The Bengaluru-based franchise has been sold for a massive Rs 166.6 billion (around Rs 16,660 crore) to a high-profile consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, alongside The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone. The deal, announced by United Spirits Limited (USL), involves the sale of 100% equity stake in its wholly owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), which owns and operates both the IPL and Women's Premier League (WPL) teams of RCB.

According to USL, the transaction is an all-cash deal and marks the conclusion of a strategic review process initiated in November 2025. The acquisition, however, remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, including from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Competition Commission of India.

Meet the New Ownership Consortium

The acquiring consortium combines strengths across multiple domains. The Aditya Birla Group brings its global business legacy, while The Times of India Group adds a strong media and cricket ecosystem. Bolt Ventures, backed by prominent sports investor David Blitzer, has stakes across major global leagues, and Blackstone contributes its vast financial expertise as the world's largest alternative asset manager.

RCSPL's ownership gives the consortium full control over RCB's operations in both the IPL and WPL, marking a new chapter for one of the league's most popular franchises -- one that Mallya says will "always remain a part of my DNA."

Extended Metro Timings

According to an official media release issued on Wednesday, metro services across Bengaluru will operate beyond regular hours on match day. The last train services from terminal stations have been extended from 11:00 PM up to 2:00 AM in the early hours of the next day. The final departures from key terminals are scheduled as follows: Whitefield (Kadugodi) at 12:30 AM, Challaghatta at 12:45 AM, Silk Institute and Madavara at 12:45 AM, Bommasandra at 1:00 AM, and R V Road at 2:00 AM. Additionally, the last train from Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station (Majestic) towards all four directions will depart at 1:30 AM.

IPL Tickets as Metro Passes and Station Guidance

To ease travel for spectators, IPL match tickets will also serve as metro travel passes, featuring a QR code that allows two-way travel on Namma Metro, either printed on physical tickets or integrated into digital versions. BMRCL has advised spectators to use the designated metro stations depending on their stadium entry gates. Commuters entering via Cubbon Road are encouraged to use Cubbon Park Metro Station, while those accessing through the Link Road should use Dr B. R. Ambedkar Station (Vidhana Soudha).

Parking Facilities to Reduce Congestion

In a bid to reduce congestion and improve last-mile connectivity, additional parking arrangements have been made across multiple metro stations. On match days, parking will be available at a flat rate of Rs 30 for two-wheelers and Rs 60 for cars, valid until the end of metro operations. Spectators have also been urged to park vehicles at metro stations such as Cubbon Park and MG Road, which are within walking distance of the stadium, thereby helping decongest traffic in the Central Business District and surrounding areas.

Safety Instructions and Crowd Control

BMRCL has requested commuters to follow instructions issued by police, stadium authorities, and metro staff to ensure smooth crowd movement and avoid overcrowding. The corporation also stated that it reserves the right to regulate or temporarily close station entry points if required for safety and security reasons.

Last year in June, 11 fans lost their lives due to the stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory parade in Bengaluru following their maiden IPL trophy win. (ANI)

Following the acquisitions of the two franchises, which have been part of the IPL since its inaugural season in 2008, Sanjiv Goenka took to his X handle (formerly Twitter) and highlighted the surge in valuation and credited the former BCCI secretary Jay Shah for the league’s structural and commercial growth.

1/ @rajasthanroyals, acquired for roughly ₹270 crore in 2008, have just been sold for over ₹15,000 crore. @RCBTweets, acquired for roughly ₹485 crore, sold for over ₹16,600 crore. Two franchises, same week, each over ₹15,000 crore.

That value was built by the architecture…

— Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) March 25, 2026

The two IPL franchises, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, were officially sold on the same day, March 24, in blockbuster deals that underlined the league’s soaring global valuation. The RR and RCB were both acquired for over INR 15,000 crore by a US Entrepreneur Kal Somani-led consortium and an Aditya Birla Group-led consortium, respectively.

For the first time in the history of the Indian Premier League, two franchises changed hands on the same day in billion-dollar deals, highlighting the league’s unprecedented financial growth and global appeal.

Also Read: RCB will always be my DNA: Mallya on new owners after record deal

‘This Guy Really Has A Memory Loss’

Sanjiv Goenka’s post triggered an angry reaction from the former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, who launched a scathing attack on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner for overlooking his role in the league’s creation.

Quote-retweeting Goenka’s post, Lalit hit back with a sharp criticism, stating that the LSG owner had ‘zero knowledge’ about the league’s beginnings and was ignoring its true architect. He lauded Geonka’s brother, Harsh, calling him a ‘true cricket fan’ and suggesting he would have been a more suitable franchise owner.

“Seriously, this guy really has a memory loss of who conceived the model. Thats ok. He just lives in his own world. We all know that. @DrSanjivGoenka is a clown.” Lalit Modi wrote.

“Wish it was his brother @hvgoenka who owned the ipl franchise. He is a true cricket fan. Not this clown - who thinks his tweet will change history. Just proves he has zero knowledge. Just swelled up head. Jai Hind @IPL,” he added.

Seriously this guy really has a memory loss of who conceived the model. Thats ok. He just lives in his own world. We all know that @DrSanjivGoenka is a
wish it was his brother @hvgoenka who owned the ipl franchise. He is a true cricket fan. Not this clown - who thinks… https://t.co/m8eBdAOHHX

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) March 26, 2026

Lalit Modi has often been credited for being the founding force of the Indian Premier League, which was officially launched in 2007 before the inaugural season kicked off in 2008. Modi served as the chairperson of the IPL from 2005 to 2010 before the BCCI removed him from his position amid allegations of misconduct and financial irregularities.

How RCB and RR’s Valuation Increased?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals witnessed exponential growth in their valuations, mainly driven by lucrative media rights deals and growing global interest. The RCB was first purchased by Vijay Mallya’s United Spirits for $111. 6 million in 2008, while the Rajasthan Royals were acquired by Emerging Media for $67 million in the same year.

Fast forward to 2026. The valuation of both franchises has skyrocketed, crossing the $1.6 billion mark. The valuation surge of the franchises was fuelled by the IPL’s media rights, which were sold for a whopping INR 48,390 crore, and annual INR 500 crore from central sponsorship and title rights deal.

The RCB’s valuation was bolstered by their maiden IPL triumph last year and the second WPL title this year, which witnessed an increase in their brand value to $269 million. Additionally, the Virat Kohli effect played a role in played a role in enhancing RCB’s brand visibility and marketability worldwide. It was reported that Kohli’s popularity is estimated to add up to $300 million to the franchise’s overall valuation.

The RR, on the other hand, have their investments in the overseas T20 leagues, including teams in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and SA20, which have further strengthened their global presence. The global multi-deal package explains why the Rajasthan Royals almost matched the valuation of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will head into the IPL 2026 as two of the most valuable and commercially powerful franchises in the league.

Also Read: From Cricketer to RCB Chairman: Aryaman Vikram Birla Takes Over in Record-Breaking IPL Deal

Phil Salt had a wonderful run with RCB in their maiden title-win. The right-handed batter scored 403 runs in 13 innings, with an average of 33.58. However, the Englishman struggled big time in the recent ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, scoring only 130 runs in eight matches at an average of 16.25.

RCB not concerned by Salt's form

Asked whether there's any concern around Salt's form heading into the IPL 2026, RCB's director of cricket, Mo Bobat, said the team has a strong, experienced squad of international players and emphasised that Salt remains one of the top-ranked T20 batters in the world. Salt is currently ranked fourth in the ICC Men's T20I rankings.

"Well, those aren't concerns for me. We've got a high-quality squad, and as we saw last year, our strongest team that we put out most of the time is full of predominantly guys who are playing or have played international cricket. So, these guys are seasoned professionals. They know what they're doing. Someone like Phil Salt is still ranked in one of the top T20 batters in the world," Mo Bobat said at RCB's pre-season press conference on Tuesday.

'Couple of gladiators walking out'

"I'm looking forward to watching him and Virat walk out to bat like they do. Couple of gladiators walking out, which is always exciting. And they'll be trying to put the opposition under pressure. We've got a lot of confidence in our team. Huge amount of confidence in Phil Salt and I'm sure he'll go out there and do his thing," Mo Bobat added.

Mo Bobat said Phil Salt enjoys his partnership with Virat. "So there's enough depth of confidence there. He also really enjoys being with RCB. He enjoys the franchise. He enjoys his partnership with Virat. He works very well with the likes of Andy and DK. So they're doing some really good work right now. And I'm pretty sure we'll see at the start of the season Phil doing his thing," Mo Bobat said.

Defending champions RCB will kick off their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. (ANI)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) director of cricket Mo Bobat said that a player of Venkatesh Iyer's experience and quality strengthens the squad and adding him to the team is a "no-brainer," ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.

Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who won the IPL 2025 with Kolkata Knight Riders, was snapped up by RCB at the 2026 IPL auction for Rs 7 crore. Notably, Venkatesh's IPL 2025 was below-average in terms of performance. In the seven innings that he batted, Venkatesh Iyer could only manage 142 runs at an average of 20.28.

Focus on squad strength and competition

Ahead of the IPL 2026, RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat said that while the team has not made any selection decisions yet, adding a player of Venkatesh Iyer's calibre is a no-brainer. "We want competition for places. Adding a player of Venky's (Venkatesh Iyer) quality, experience, and calibre is a no-brainer. You strengthen the squad. You worry about selection as you get towards the first game. The first thing to say is that we haven't selected our team for the first game yet, so we haven't made any decisions on selection. Still a few days to go. Ultimately, our main objective at the auction was to strengthen the squad," Bobat stated.

Mo Bobat said RCB hasn't finalised selections yet, but securing a player like Venkatesh Iyer was a priority. He emphasised building a strong squad to foster competition and ambitious goals, with final lineup decisions to be clarified in the coming days.

"So, look, we haven't made any decisions just yet, but the fact that we were able to attract a player like him, get him to the franchise and have him as an option was our priority at this stage. We want competition for places. We're very ambitious about what we want to achieve," he said. "And you do that by having not just 11 or 12 players. you do that by having a you know really strong squad. So that's as far as we're concerned right now where we're at and then over the next few days we'll clarify our decisions on selection," Mo Bobat added.

RCB's title defence begins

Defending champions RCB will kick off their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. (ANI)

The change of ownership took place on Monday, March 24, four days before the RCB begin its title quest against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Aditya Birla Group, alongside American entrepreneur David Blitzer, Times of India Group, and Blackstone, formed a consortium to outbid a group led by Ranjan Pai, backed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Temasek, and another consortium involving EQT and Premji Invest to secure the ownership of the RCB.

Following the RCB’s maiden IPL triumph last year, United Spirits, the Indian arm of he Indian arm of Diageo, had put the franchise for sale by filing a disclosure and initiating a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd, signalling a potential full or partial exit from the team.

Also Read: RCB Sold For $1.78 Billion: How Aditya Birla Group-Led Consortium Took Over Bengaluru Franchise

Aryaman Vikram Birla Takes Over as RCB Chairman

Alongside the acquisition of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the consortium, led by Aditya Birla Group, announced the ownership structure of the franchise. The existing owners will step aside, as the RCB has now come under the stewardship of the Aditya Birla-led consortium.

Aryaman Vikram Birla has been appointed as the chairman of the franchise. In fact, the former Rajasthan Royals cricketer led the consortium to successfully acquire the team, given his experience as a professional cricketer and his role as Director at Aditya Birla Group, combining his cricket insights and business acumen to guide the men’s and women’s teams of the franchise.

Apart from Aryaman, Times Internet chairman Satyan Gajwani will take on the role of vice chairman. The key consortium partners, including David Blitzer and Viral Patel playing strategic roles in shaping the future of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Aryaman Vikram Birla (@aryamanvb)

RCB was initially owned by Vijay Mallya through United Spirits, which had acquired the franchise during the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, before its ownership later passed under Diageo following its takeover of United Spirits.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (formerly known as Royal Challengers Bangalore) has evolved into one of the most valuable and widely followed franchises in the history of IPL, boasting a massive global fanbase and achieving its maiden title triumph in 2025.

From RR Cricketer to Chairman of RCB

Aryaman Vikram Birla’s journey from being a professional cricketer to becoming the chairman of one of the biggest, most valuable, and successful IPL franchises is quite fascinating and reflects a rare blend of sporting and corporate expertise.

Despite being the son of industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, Aryaman carved out his own path, combining his experience as a professional cricketer with corporate leadership at the Aditya Birla Group. Aryaman Vikram Birla played for Madhya Pradesh in List A and Ranji Trophy. In his First-Class Cricket career, the 28-year-old has aggregated 414 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 27.60 in 16 innings.

Aryaman Birla was once part of the India U23 camp at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru back in 2018.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Aryaman Vikram Birla (@aryamanvb)

In the IPL, Aryaman was acquired by the Rajasthan Royals for INR 30 lakhs at the 2019 auction, but didn’t get a single match and was released ahead of the 2020 season. In December 2019, the young cricketer decided to take a sabbatical from the sport due to anxiety and mental health-related issues.

Aryaman Birla’s last appearance in competitive cricket was in Madhya Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy match against Andhra in Indore in January 2019. Thereafter, Aryaman stepped away from cricket without any confirmation whether he would return to professional play.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Mo Bobat backs Phil Salt to open with Virat Kohli for RCB

How Did Aryaman Birla Venture Into Corperate World?

Being the son of Mangalam Kumar Birla, who heads the Aditya Birla Group, Aryman Birla naturally stepped into the corporate world. After taking a sabbatical from professional cricket in 2019, Aryaman shifted his focus toward his family business, which was founded in 1857 by Seth Shiv Narayan Birla and has grown over generations into the global conglomerate it is today, spanning sectors like textiles, metals, cement, telecom, and finance.

Aryaman was inducted as a director of the key boards of the Aditya Birla Group, including Grasim Industries, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail (ABFRL), and Hindalco Industries. Apart from being a director, the 28-year-old championed new initiatives, Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality and the capital arm of ABG, Aditya Birla Ventures.

Aryaman Vikram Birla earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Master's in Global Finance from Bayes Business School, further strengthening his corporate and financial expertise.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Aryaman Vikram Birla (@aryamanvb)

Now, Aryaman Vikram Birla has transitioned from being an aspiring cricketer to the director of the key boards of the Aditya Birla Group and chairman of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He is the second-youngest chairman of the IPL franchise after Keshav Bansal, who took over as the chairman of the Gujarat Lions at the age of 24 in 2016.

Aryaman Vikram Birla has stepped into the franchise T20 league as a young leader, combining his cricketing experience and business acumen to guide RCB’s growth on and off the field.

Following the RCB’s maiden IPL triumph last year, United Spirits, the Indian arm of Diageo, had put the franchise for sale by filing a disclosure and initiating a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd, signalling a potential full or partial exit from the team.

RCB was initially owned by Vijay Mallya through United Spirits, which had acquired the franchise during the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, before its ownership later passed under Diageo following its takeover of United Spirits. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (formerly known as Royal Challengers Bangalore) has evolved into one of the most valuable and widely followed franchises in the history of IPL, boasting a massive global fanbase and achieving its maiden title triumph in 2025.

Also Read: US Entrepreneur Kal Somani Buys Rajasthan Royals in $1.63Bn Deal Backed by Walmart and Ford Dynasties

Change of Ownership for RCB

Ahead of the IPL title defence, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has officially transitioned into a new ownership era after spending over a decade under Diageo’s control, marking the end of a long chapter in the franchise’s history. The sale of the franchise began in November 2025, when United Spirits decided to initiate a strategic review of its stake in Royal Challengers Pvt Ltd.

After months of intense negotiations and a competitive bidding process involving multiple global investors, a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, alongside Blackstone, The Times of India Group, and Bolt Ventures, emerged as the winner to secure the ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Aditya Birla Group was the first to make a decisive move in the bidding process, alongside partnering with American investor David Blitzer, before strengthening its position to acquire the ownership of the Bengaluru-based franchise by bringing in the Times of India (TOI) group and Blackstone, creating a consortium that outbid rival groups to clinch the landmark deal for the RCB.

RCB HAS BEEN SOLD TO BIRLAS.

- A consortium of Aditya Birla Group, American sports investor David Blitzer, US private equity firm Blackstone has acquired RCB. (Money Control). pic.twitter.com/O8xTvQW3ML

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 24, 2026

Aditya Birla Group-led consortium competed with a group led by Ranjan Pai, backed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Temasek, and another consortium involving EQT and Premji Invest, making it a fiercely contested bidding race for the ownership of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

For the first time in over a decade, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter the new season without the backing of Diageo-led United Spirits, ushering in a new chapter under the stewardship of the Aditya Birla-led consortium.

How Did Birla-Led Consortium Seal $1.78 Billion Deal for RCB Acquisition?

Aditya Birla Group, led by Kumar Mangalam Birla, and American investor David Blitzer were initially eyeing to acquire Rajasthan Royals, which was eventually sold to US Entrepreneur Kal Somani for $1.63 billion. However, they later shifted their focus to Royal Challengers Bengaluru after sensing a stronger commercial opportunity and higher brand value.

Birla Group and David Blitzer, owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, later brought in the Times of India Group and Blackstone to increase financial and strategic strength, forming a powerful consortium. Shifting from the RR to RCB, the Aditya Birla-led consortium made it a three-way bidding contest with the rival group backed by KKR and Temasek, as well as another consortium involving EQT and Premji Invest.

Aryaman Kumar Birla, a former Rajasthan Royals player and Director of ABG, led the bid process, given his deep understanding of the game and experience within the cricketing ecosystem, which played a key role in shaping the consortium’s acquisition strategy for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The Diageo-led United Spirits was aiming for a $2 billion sale of the RCB, but the final deal was sealed at $1.78 billion (INR 16,739 crore), making it the most expensive franchise transaction in the history of the Indian Premier League. Earlier, the Rajasthan Royals were acquired by US Entrepreneur Kal Somani for $1.63 billion (INR 15,332 Crore), highlighting the rapid surge in the franchise valuations and the growing investor appetite for teams in the cash-rich T20 league in the world.

Also Read: IPL 2026: How RCB Is Overhauling Safety at M Chinnaswamy Stadium After Stampede Tragedy?

The Ownership Structure of RCB

The Aditya Birla Group-led consortium has not only acquired the men’s team of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru but also the women’s team, which competes in the Women's Premier League, thereby securing the complete ownership across both marquee tournaments under a unified structure.

Under the new ownership structure, Aryanman Birla will serve as the chairman of the franchise, while the Times Internet chairman, Satyan Gajwani, will take on the role of vice chairman. The key consortium partners, including David Blitzer and Viral Patel playing strategic roles in shaping the future of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

2008:
Rajasthan Royals was sold for 320cr. 
RCB was sold for 450cr. 

2026:
Rajasthan Royals is sold for 15,300cr. 
RCB is sold for 16,705cr. 

THE POPULARITY OF IPL WILL BE UNIMAGINABLE IN THE COMING DECADE…!!! pic.twitter.com/BCfm3Hlvyk

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 24, 2026

Aryanman Vikram Birla appeared to be an ideal choice to lead the franchise as a chairman, as he played domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh and IPL for the Rajasthan Royals, bringing both on-field insight and business acumen to the leadership of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. While Blitzer brings global sports expertise, Viral adds financial strength to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will begin its quest for the title defence when they take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28.

The unfortunate tragedy struck when thousands of fans had gathered outside the stadium on June 4 last year to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL triumph. The overwhelming crowd led to a deadly stampede, sparking outrage and prompting urgent interventions of the Karnataka Government and the High Court.

After the John Michael Cunha Commission submitted the report, which cited safety concerns, the Chinnaswamy Stadium hasn’t hosted any competitive matches as it was declared ‘unsuitable and unsafe’ to host larger events. Ahead of the IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Karnataka State Cricket Association received a green signal from the Karnataka government and its expert committee after safety upgrades were reviewed and approved.

Also Read: IPL 2026: RCB and KSCA to Unveil Memorial Plaque, Reserve 11 Seats for Bengaluru Stampede Victims

RCB Invests INR 7 Crore on Stadium Safety

The stampede tragedy outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium sparked concerns over the safety and crowd management protocols at the venue. Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced the heat of the moment, with fans, media, and authorities demanding stricter safety measures.

Having already lost 11 lives in a stampede tragedy, RCB decided to undertake a comprehensive safety overhaul at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Speaking at the press conference, the franchise CEO, Rajesh Menon, stated that INR 7 crore has been invested in AI-powered CCTV cameras, centralized command centre, baggage scanners, and revamped entry-exit systems.

“We have invested approximately Rs 7 crore towards enhancing crowd management infrastructure, including multiple baggage scanners and command centres," Menon said.

“This system provides real-time alerts, including stand-specific crowd counts, to ensure better monitoring and control," he added.

Earlier, M Chinnaswamy Stadium lacked proper crowd management systems, entry-exit areas, comprehensive evacuation plans, and adequate parking and drop-off facilities to accommodate large volumes of attendees, which were mentioned in the report submitted by the John Michael Cunha Commission.

The venue was initially scheduled to host five Women’s World Cup 2025 matches but was relocated to Navi Mumbai’s DY Sports Academy Stadium. Even the Maharaja T20 Trophy, the Karnataka T20 domestic tournament, and the Indian domestic matches were moved to alternate venues, as the Chinnaswamy Stadium was deemed unfit to host competitive fixtures until the safety upgrades were fully implemented.

‘It Has Been a Long Journey Since June 4’

Further speaking on the safety measures, RCB CEO Rajesh Menon emphasised the extensive efforts taken since the stampede tragedy.

“It has been a long journey since June 4, and everything has been executed on a war footing,” Menon said.

“We have worked to follow the SOPs provided by the court and ensure all protocols are in place," he added.

: ( ) ❤️

Your favourite team is back home and we can't wait to play in front of you, 12th Man Army. Important Ticket information below ⬇️

️ Where to buy tickets?
Tickets will be available only… pic.twitter.com/2kFhFPH4IY

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 24, 2026

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) will unveil a memorial plaque to honour the victims who lost their lives in the stampede, ensuring their memory is preserved.

Additionally, 11 empty seats will be reserved at the iconic venue during the RCB matches as a solemn tribute to the lives lost, serving as a constant reminder of the tragedy and the importance of fan safety. On the match day, RCB will lead the tributes for the victims and their names will be displayed inside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, followed by a minute’s silence.

Also Read: US Entrepreneur Kal Somani Buys Rajasthan Royals in $1.63Bn Deal Backed by Walmart and Ford Dynasties

New Agreements Ahead of IPL 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have updated their agreements. Now, KSCA will work alongside RCB to organise matches and enforce safety procedures, instead of just providing the stadium.

Entry and exit points have been redesigned. All gates will open four hours before a match. Ticket holders can use the metro on match days, and parking can be booked in advance.

The defending champions, RCB, will begin their IPL 2026 home games against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday and will host five matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium this season. The other two matches will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Raipur.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru players will pay tributes to the fans who lost their lives during a stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after RCB's maiden title win in the last Indian Premier League season in Bengaluru. RCB players will wear jersey number 11 during the warm-up session ahead of their first home game of the IPL season 2026 and black armbands during the match, while 11 seats at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will be kept empty as a tribute to the 11 fans who lost their lives last year, Chief Executive Officer Rajesh Menon announced at the franchise's pre-season press conference on Tuesday.

"This is a tribute to our fans, who will always remain a part of our journey", he said.

Enhanced Safety and Operational Framework for IPL 2026

Menon also outlined the extensive preparations that have gone into ensuring a safe and seamless matchday experience for fans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the defending champions will play five home games. "I would like to thank the government for making this possible. It has been a long journey since June 4, and everything has been executed on a war footing. We have worked to follow the SOPs provided by the court and ensure all protocols are in place," he said.

Updated Agreements and Responsibilities

From an operational standpoint, Menon explained the revised framework governing the stadium and the responsibilities of the stakeholders involved. Menon also outlined the revised framework governing the stadium, according to a release. Under updated agreements between the BCCI, KSCA and RCB, the state association will serve as the lead organiser, along with the franchise, which will implement the standard operating procedures, including emergency planning protocols, and indemnify any breach of the stadium agreement. These SOPs will be followed by both the franchise and the state association, with specific guidelines also in place for victory parades.

Advanced Crowd Management and Infrastructure Investment

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have also introduced several new crowd management measures inside and around the stadium. "We have significantly strengthened crowd management measures. We have implemented AI-led CCTV solutions across the stadium, including inside, the concourse, and surrounding areas, powered by an AI tool called Jarvis. This system provides real-time alerts, including stand-specific crowd counts, to ensure better monitoring and control. These CCTV feeds will also be accessible to the Commissioner's office for real-time monitoring," Rajesh Menon said.

"We have invested approximately ₹7 crore towards enhancing crowd management infrastructure, including multiple baggage scanners and command centers," he added.

Ticketing and Matchday Logistics

The stadium will also see reworked entry, exit and fan movement protocols based on recommendations from local authorities. Tickets for the first fixture went live March at 4 PM. Ticket holders will also be entitled to metro access on match days. Parking can be pre-booked, and all stadium gates will open four hours prior to the match. He also confirmed that the franchise has decided not to host the Unbox event this year, with the focus firmly on ensuring the matchday experience is executed smoothly.

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood will also miss at least the initial few matches at the IPL 2026 for the defending champions.

Yash Dayal's Absence Confirmed

Speaking to the media persons during the pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday, Mo Bobat said that Yash Dayal will not join the squad for now due to a "personal situation." He added that the franchise continues to support him, remains in regular contact, and has retained him in the contract, but noted that it is not in either Yash Dayal's or the franchise's best interest for him to join the team currently.

"Just to confirm that Yash will not be joining the squad. As you know, he is going through a personal situation currently. And just to clarify, we have been very supportive of Yash to date. And that's reflected in the fact that we retained him. And he remains under contract and will continue to, in the short term, be foreseeable to remain under contract. We are communicating with him regularly, and I spoke to him earlier today as well. But it's been decided that it is not in his best interest, or the franchise's best interest, for him to join RCB at this point," Mo Bobat said in RCB's pre-season conference.

The development comes amid speculation that Dayal may be dealing with legal issues.

Notably, Dayal joined RCB ahead of the IPL 2024 season for Rs 5 crore and played a key role in the franchise's maiden title-winning campaign last year, claiming 13 wickets in 15 matches.

Update on Josh Hazlewood's Fitness

RCB will also be without star pacer Josh Hazlewood at the start of the tournament, as the Australian continues to recover from hamstring and Achilles injuries.

Bobat said that the franchise is in regular contact with Cricket Australia over Hazlewood's fitness and is hopeful he will join the squad soon. "With Josh, it's straightforward. He's missed some cricket due to injury, and we're in constant touch with Cricket Australia. As soon as they're comfortable with his fitness, he'll join us. Having strong relationships with boards makes a big difference in situations like this," Mo Bobat said.

Hazlewood was one of the overarching reasons for RCB's maiden IPL title win, as he claimed 22 wickets in 12 matches for the franchise at an average of 17.54.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

A day after the RCB’s maiden IPL triumph, the entire squad arrived in Bengaluru for a scheduled victory parade and felicitation event, but things went tragically awry as overcrowding outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium led to a stampede, claiming the lives of 11 innocent people and injuring over 50 others who were trying to catch a glimpse of their favourite players during the celebrations.

Ever since the stampede, Bengaluru’s iconic stadium was not permitted for any cricketing activities due to safety concerns after the John Michael Cunha Commission deemed the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium unsuitable and unsafe for large‑scale events until the venue received the green signal for the RCB matches ahead of the IPL 2026.

Also Read: Virat Kohli is RCB's identity, may unveil new shots: Anil Kumble

RCB and KSCA To Honour Victims

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru will begin their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the season opener on March 28, RCB and KSCA will honour the victims who lost their lives in the tragic stampede that sparked widespread grief across the city.

As per the report by the Times of India (TOI), the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) have joined hands to commemorate the victims. The franchise and state association will unveil a plaque in memory of the 11 who lost their lives in the tragic stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Moreover, 11 empty seats will be reserved at the iconic venue during the RCB matches as a mark of respect and remembrance for the victims, ensuring their memory is honoured throughout the tournament.

A TRIBUTE TO 11 VICTIMS BY RCB.

- KSCA and RCB will unveil a memorial Plaque at the Chinnaswamy Stadium where they’ll reserve 11 seats in the memory of the stampede victims. (TOI). pic.twitter.com/EhFlE9Fmyr

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 24, 2026

On the match day, RCB will lead the tributes for the victims and their names will be displayed inside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, followed by a minute’s silence. The visiting teams are expected to join RCB for the remembrance ceremony, pay their respects, and participate in the commemorative ceremonies to honour the 11 victims.

The memorial plaque will be placed at the stadium permanently, serving as a lasting tribute to the 11 victims and ensuring their memory is honoured by players, fans, and visitors for years to come.

‘It’s Painful To Even Think About the Tragic Incident’

KSCA president and former fast bowler, Venkatesh Prasad, confirmed the plans for the memorial. Speaking to the TOI, Prasad stated that the memorial will serve as a permanent tribute to the victims and ensure their memory is respectfully honoured during all RCB matches at the stadium

“It is painful to even think about the tragic incident. But we have been discussing the memorial for a while with the managing committee and other major stakeholders, and collectively felt it was important to honour the memory of the 11 people,” Prasad said.

“We don’t want to rekindle any pain; instead, remember them. That’s why we decided to place an epitaph of the cricket fans whose lives were cut short tragically,” he added.

The RCB and KSCA honouring 11 victims is similar to the tribute to the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster, where memorials, dedicated seating and regular commemorations are held at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium to ensure the memory of those fans is preserved by the club and its supporters.

This is the first time an IPL franchise and its home association have taken a solemn step to permanently commemorate the fans who tragically lost their lives, setting a precedent for honouring victims and promoting safety awareness in cricket events.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Chinnaswamy Stadium gets nod to host matches, playoffs

Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma scored a 37-ball 81, skipper Rajat Patidar got a blazing 25-ball 74, while superstar batter Virat Kohli played a quick 12-ball 29 run cameo in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) first warm-up match ahead of their title defence starting from March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Before kickstarting their IPL title defence against Men in Orange at home in Bengaluru, RCB batters looked in pretty good nick, even while playing brief cameos. Jitesh, Rajat, Devdutt Paddikal and Krunal Pandya were among the batters to have scored fifties. Batting first, team led by Venkatesh Iyer posted 234/7, with Jitesh (81 in 37 balls), Tim David (36 in 14 balls), Iyer (30 in 16 balls) and Virat (29 in 12 balls) dominating the scorecard. In their 20 overs, the other team, led by Krunal, fired 247 runs, with Rajat (74 in 25 balls), Padikkal (63 in 33 balls) and Krunal (58 in 33 balls) delivering standout performances. https://x.com/RCBTweets/status/2035920973283627215

Krunal Pandya Lauds Virat Kohli's Form

Reflecting on Virat's batting, Krunal said, "Some of the shots that Virat played today were amazing. Looking good, which is a great sign for us. So, fingers crossed."

Coach Andy Flower Praises Standout Performers

Speaking after the match's conclusion, RCB's head coach Andy Flower praised Jitesh and Rajat for their standout performances and pointed out that youngsters like Abhinandan Singh, Rasikh Dar Salam and Vicky Ostwal did well with a ball in hand. "Some of the highlights, I suppose, from the evening are watching guys like Jitesh who scored 80 or 35 balls or so. Rajat is there, hitting beautiful shots as we know that he can. Some of the youngsters are performing. Abhinandan was good with the ball, Rasikh was good with the ball. For instance, it was nice to see Vicky Ostwal and his skill with the left-arm spin. So that was a great night's work for everyone in the squad and rest tomorrow," he said. (ANI)

The man in the number 18 shirt will finally be walking into an IPL season without the sense of heaviness in his chest and a desperation in his bat swing to get that trophy as 'King Kohli' completed his white-ball trophy cabinet by capturing the elusive prize last year, which also marked his 18th season with the franchise.

During the final few moments of the game, Virat was captured teary-eyed by TV cameras as years of emotional weight of being trophyless despite his huge amount of runs was finally being lifted ball-by-ball during the final over of the innings.

A Sense of Calm Confidence

Speaking in a video posted by RCB, Virat said, "I have been here since day one, and so has Mane (Team's masseur Ramesh Mane) Kaka. We are probably the oldest members of the RCB group, and to be very honest, when we reached the finals (against Punjab Kings), I felt a sense of calm confidence."

Virat also said that despite his confidence, he knew it was not going to be a "cakewalk".

"It is a final, and there is another team that has played really, really well to get there and obviously beaten a lot of good sides, so they are also very confident of what they want to do," he added.

Learning from Past Near Misses

Virat said that his franchise's near misses in the past, such as narrow losses to Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2009 and 2016 finals, gave the franchise an "extra motivation to hold their nerve".

"Because the league has become so much more competitive, we must have played really good cricket to get to the finals. It is not a fluke, it is not by chance. We have beaten some really good teams, and we are an amazing side who have earned the right to be here on this day. All in all, it was an amazing night for all of us," he said.

'Surreal' Final Moments

"It was quite surreal for me honestly, quite unbelievable when it was all unfolding in the end. So many things flash in front of your eyes. The whole journey for 18 years, all the ups and downs, all the good moments, bad moments, it's like the accumulation of all of that is unfolding in front of you, and that is going to happen in the next 10 minutes. It is a very difficult thing to explain, it is a thing to experience."

"And that experience I will never ever forget. And especially the last over, where you know the game is sealed, hoping that Josh (Hazlewood) does not bowl a no-ball, which he never does. So there was a quiet confidence but still as I said you are hoping for the perfect result. So knowing that the game is beyond them and then to wait for those last three balls was probably the toughest part of the night," he concluded.

Kohli's Stellar Season

Last season, Virat scored 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, with eight fifties to his name, finishing as the team's leading run-getter and third-highest run-getter overall. (ANI)

For the first time in 19 seasons, the RCB will enter the tournament as the defending champions, keeping a close eye on the squad balance. Except for Josh Hazlewood, who will miss the first matches of the IPL 2026, all players have assembled at the team’s home ground and had their first training session on March 18, officially kick-starting their preparations for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title defence quest.

The likes of skipper Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Devdutt Paddikal, Jitesh Sharma, and others had an intense nets session, gearing up for the IPL 2026 opener against 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru.

Also Read: Big Trouble for Yash Dayal! RCB Pacer’s Bail Application in Rape Case Rejected by Jaipur POCSO Court

Yash Dayal Missing from RCB’s Training Camp

As every player, except Josh Hazlewood, has assembled at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for the pre-season training camp. However, one player was notably absent from the pre-season camp — fast bowler Yash Dayal, raising questions about his availability for IPL 2026.

Dayal was retained for 5 crore by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the upcoming IPL season. However, things have gone sideways off the field, as Yash Dayal has landed in legal trouble after being booked in a rape case with an FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Jaipur.

The Uttar Pradesh pacer has been named in two separate FIRs based on the complaints filed by two different victims, who accused Dayal of rape and sexual exploitation. One case is in Ghaziabad, where a woman accused him of “exploiting” her on the pretext of marriage and a second FIR was later lodged in Jaipur, alleging he repeatedly sexually assaulted a minor in 2023 and again in April 2025, leading to police investigations under both the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act.

Yash Dayal sidelined by RCB?

RCB started their camp on 15th March, and almost every Indian player joined from day one, even Virat Kohli also joined.

But Yash Dayal hasn’t joined yet and only 8 days are left before the first game.

Has RCB really moved on from him due to the… pic.twitter.com/Z969HpGmlq

— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy) March 20, 2026

Due to the ongoing case of rape and exploitation. Yash Dayal was removed by the Uttar Pradesh State Cricket Association (UPCA), prohibiting him from participating in the last season of the UP T20 League and the recently concluded Indian domestic cricket season.

Therefore, Yash Dayal’s participation in the IPL 2026 has been thrown into uncertainty, as the RCB are yet to issue an official statement.

Did RCB Remove Yash Dayal from the Squad?

Yash Dayal’s absence from the team training has sparked discussions about whether the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have quietly removed him from the squad rather than issuing an official statement, due to the ongoing controversy around the UP pacer. However, another hint suggested that Dayal wouldn’t be part of the IPL 2026.

A user on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that Dayal’s picture was missing from the squad’s poster on the bus. Since every member of the squad, including Josh Hazlewood, was featured on the bus except Dayal, fans speculated that the pacer might have been excluded from the team, fueling rumours about his potential removal from the IPL 2026 squad.

No Yash Dayal photo on any side of the RCB bus....
Lesssss gooooo Accused won't play pic.twitter.com/MS3uDfaAiK

— Anisha Reddy (@AA_nisha418) March 20, 2026

Despite the serious allegations of rape and sexual exploitation, Royal Challengers Bengaluru didn’t officially remove Yash Dayal from the squad, and his name still appears on the official IPL 2026 player list. Mangesh Yadav, a young pacer from Madhya Pradesh, was acquired for INR 5.2 crore as a backup option should Yash Dayal be deemed unavailable for the season.

Yash Dayal has been part of RCB since 2024 and has picked 28 wickets at an average of 33.17 and an economy rate of 9.36 in 29 matches. He played a pivotal role in the team’s maiden IPL triumph last season.

Also Read: IPL 2026: RCB Star Virat Kohli Cautioned About T20 Comeback Challenges After Focusing on ODIs

The RCB players assembled at their home ground and Bengaluru’s iconic venue in high spirits, as they begin their preparations for the title defence. As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are heading into the tournament for the first time as the defending champions, the mood has been upbeat yet competitive on the practice front, with the bowlers and batters testing each other’s skills in the nets.

The focus from the nets session was Virat Kohli, who set to make his comeback to competitive cricket after two months, with his last appearance coming in the ODI series against New Zealand in January, and he was India’s highest run-getter with 240 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26 in three matches.

Also Read: IPL 2026: RCB Star Virat Kohli Shows Sublime Form in Nets Ahead of Opener against SRH (WATCH)

Bhuvneshwar Floors Kohli with Lethal Yorker

Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar had an hour-long nets session, where both displayed their skills and competitive spirit. However, what caught the attention was the lethal yorker delivered by the left-arm pacer to the ace batter, who was completely beaten by the delivery.

In a video that went viral on social media, Kohli was seen misjudging the line and length and being beaten by Bhuvneshwar’s toe‑crushing delivery. The former RCB captain was completely floored by his former Indian teammate’s yorker, which had inhuman pace and pinpoint accuracy, leaving even a seasoned batter like Kohli momentarily beaten.

This yorker from Bhuvneshwar Kumar completely beat Virat Kohli.

In the last two years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s name has gone a bit down, but maybe in this IPL he will definitely do something special. pic.twitter.com/L0bF9BsR0Z

— ⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) March 19, 2026

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is often known for his swing bowling and deadly yorkers, making him a constant threat even in practice sessions, as he keeps batsmen like Kohli on their toes. The ace batter was careful while facing the left-arm pacer in the nets as he adjusted his stance and timing, focusing on precision and technique to counter Bhuvneshwar’s lethal deliveries.

Bhuvneshwar returned to Royal Challengers Bengaluru after 15 long years in the last IPL season, after the franchise acquired his services for INR 10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Despite being out of the Indian team setup across formats since 2022, Bhuvneshwar Kumar looked in full rhythm in the nets, making him a vital player for RCB heading into the IPL 2026.

Perfect Yorker or Wide Ball? Fans Debate

The viral video of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s lethal yorker to Virat Kohli in the RCB nets sparked a debate on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts debating whether it was a perfect yorker or a wide ball by the left-arm Indian pacer.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts were divided, with many insisting that it was a wide ball, pointing out that the delivery was down the leg, out of Kohli’s normal reach, and left him with no opportunity to play a shot, while others praised Bhuvneshwar’s skill, calling him ‘master of yorkers’, and lauded the delivery as a perfectly timed and toe crushing yorker.

It's clearly a wide ball but blud just shows as some nasty unbeatable yorker and Kohli getting bowled here and then i check username of this account https://t.co/opFc35jyoi

— Gautam (@indiantweetrian) March 19, 2026

Wide ball thi bhai https://t.co/zxuD4IeCW9

— mayank (@Mayank_cricket_) March 19, 2026

This was a wide ball btw https://t.co/hv1t6jG0Js

— PKG (@Panav_rockstar) March 19, 2026

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the master of yorkers the way he has beaten Virat Kohli looks like this season is going to be a for him.

— Krishna Kumar (@krishna89699799) March 19, 2026

Best vs best . What a Yorker by bhuvi

— Rakeshcricket (@Rcm494) March 19, 2026

That was wide, down the leg.. he left it

— Shreyy (@sadly_shrey) March 19, 2026

Bhuvneshwar Kumar puts up an amazing yakker today

— Son Singh (@SONSINGH_Ya) March 19, 2026

It was a wide.

— Ravi Ghodasara (@RaviGhodasara) March 19, 2026

It's a clear wide...

— Urmila Shah (@Urmi_Seth27) March 19, 2026

That was a wide ball

— CoverDrive (@PranavR40) March 19, 2026

This mc didn’t post Kohli’s sixes in the nets. I don’t have a problem with him posting this, but what’s this misleading caption? It was clearly a down-the-leg wide, yet he’s portraying it as if Kohli got castled or it was some nail-biting yorker in the blockhole. https://t.co/ZCveCutA5h

— Kohlistic (@Kohlistic18) March 19, 2026

Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL triumph, defeating Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3.

Kohli was the RCB’s highest run-getter with 657 runs, including eight fifties, at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71 in 15 matches. Bhuvneshwar, on the other hand, was the joint-second highest wicket-taker for the team, with 17 wickets at an average of 28.41 and an economy rate of 9.28 in 14 matches.

Also Read: IPL 2026: RCB Star Virat Kohli Cautioned About T20 Comeback Challenges After Focusing on ODIs

Kohli played his last competitive cricket in the ODI series against New Zealand in January, and he was India’s highest run-getter with 240 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26 in three matches. It’s been two months since the IPL’s leading run-getter took to competitive cricket, and his return has generated huge excitement among fans.

Though retired from T20Is after Team India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, Virat Kohli continues to play the IPL and will represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the 19th consecutive season of the tournament.

Also Read: IPL 2026: RCB Star Virat Kohli Cautioned About T20 Comeback Challenges After Focusing on ODIs

Kohli Hit The Nets Ahead of His Comeback

The focal point of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s nets session was Virat Kohli’s powerful hitting display at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The former captain had an hour-long batting session in the nets, facing Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Venkatesh Iyer, and Rasikh Dar.

In a video that went viral on social media, Kohli can be seen fine-tuning his technique, including his cover drive, lofted straight and mid-wicket strokes, while showing his sharp timing and his characteristic technical precision, effortlessly adjusting to different lines and lengths, , showcasing crisp timing and controlled power throughout the nets session.

The King is back in his Kingdom !! pic.twitter.com/CGScoGmKuK

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) March 19, 2026

In another video, Virat Kohli was seen hitting for a boundary off Bhuvneshwar Kumar before hitting two towering sixes off a spinner in the nets, underlining his sublime form ahead of RCB’s IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Glimpses of Virat Kohli batting session pic.twitter.com/zLFU8Zgeko

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) March 19, 2026

Virat Kohli played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL triumph last season, defeating Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After 18 long years with the RCB, Kohli finally clinched his maiden IPL title, a reward for his loyalty and relentless pursuit of excellence, cementing his legacy as one of the tournament’s greatest-ever players.

Kohli was the RCB’s highest run-getter with 657 runs, including eight fifties, at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71 in 15 matches.

Why is IPL 2026 Important for Virat Kohli?

Virat Kohli will be making his 19th appearance in the IPL, making him one of the only four players, alongside MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Manish Pandey, to feature in every edition of the tournament since the inaugural season in 2008, highlighting his longevity, consistency, and iconic status in Indian cricket.

However, the upcoming season of the IPL is far more important for Virat Kohli. Kohli retired from T20Is and Tests and is solely focusing on ODIs, intending to extend his illustrious career till the 2027 World Cup, which is likely to be his swansong. Since the ace batter is only playing in the format at the international level, the IPL has become a crucial platform for him to maintain his competitive form, refine his batting skills against top-quality bowlers, and stay in peak shape ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@royalchallengers.bengaluru)

Since the BCCI selectors and the team management will begin their planning for the marquee event post-IPL, Virat Kohli aims to use the tournament to showcase his form, provide leadership, and send a strong message that he remains a vital part of India’s ODI plans leading up to the 2027 World Cup.

Moreover, the 37-year-old has not played T20 cricket for nearly a year, with his last appearance in the format being in the IPL 2025 final, making these nets sessions crucial for regaining match sharpness, timing, and confidence ahead of the new season.

Also Read: AB de Villiers hails Virat Kohli as RCB's 'heartbeat' for IPL 2026

The former captain’s return to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru a year after winning his maiden IPL triumph with the franchise has generated huge excitement among fans. Though the 37-year-old retired from the T20Is following India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, he has continued to ply his trade in the Indian Premier League. Now, Kohli has retired from Test cricket and has shifted his focus to ODI cricket.

After having retired from T20Is and Tests and focusing only on ODIs, intending to extend his illustrious career till the 2027 ODI World Cup, Virat Kohli will now return to the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are defending champions of the tournament.

Also Read: ‘I’ve Stopped Drinking Alcohol’: PBKS Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal Takes a Big Step Ahead of IPL 2026

‘Things Will Be Different for Kohli’

As Virat Kohli prepares for his return to action for the IPL 2026, former India cricketer turned commentator, Irfan Pathan, has cautioned the ace batter about the challenges of readjusting to the T20 format after retiring from the format at the international level and Test cricket, and focusing only on ODIs.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan stated that while Kohli’s talent and experience remain unmatched, returning to the IPL after a break from competitive cricket will require him to adapt his game and regain the intensity needed for T20 success.

“This time, things will be a little different for Kohli. For the first time, he will play the IPL, having completely retired from Test cricket. He is playing only one format. It is not easy for anyone. But he has scored, and his performance has been brilliant. Even when he comes after a break, it has not been difficult for him in one-day cricket,” the former India all-rounder said.

“In T20s, when you play the aggressor and come in not having played a lot, it will be challenging. But he has faced many challenges before as well. I am very excited to see how he will go forward this season,” he added.

Virat Kohli’s last appearance in competitive cricket was in the ODI series against New Zealand in January, and he was the highest run-getter for Team India, amassing 240 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26 in three matches. It’s been two months since Kohli last featured in competitive cricket, and he will be keen to hit the ground running for RCB as the defending champions in IPL 2026.

Virat Kohli’s Long-Standing Association with RCB

Virat Kohli has been synonymous with Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s success and legacy over the years, leading the team through the highs and lows and consistently delivering match-winning performances. In fact, Kohli remains the only player to have played for only one franchise since the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008.

Speaking on Kohli’s association with RCB, Irfa Pathan stated that the ace batter and franchise have become inseparable, with his leadership, experience, and consistency having defined the RCB’s identity over the years.

“Virat Kohli and RCB are an identity that goes together. He started with RCB and is still playing for them. He has delivered brilliant performances. It was also a golden period in his career when he captained the team, there were a lot of brilliant performances,” Irfan said.

“When they won last season, his strike rate also went up. He did not play anchor but took the role of an aggressor. It was a very big factor. They will expect even this time that he keeps up the same form,” he added.

Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) from 2011 to 2023, guiding the side to 66 wins in 70 outings, with a win percentage of 46.15 in 143 matches. Under the leadership of Kohli, RCB reached the final twice in 2011 and 2016, but fell short of the title after losin Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Virat is the leading run-getter for the RCB, amassing 8661 runs, including 8 centuries and 63 fifties, at an average of 39.54 and an economy rate of 132.85 in 267 matches.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Is Ishan Kishan the Right Choice to Lead SRH? Check Out His T20 Captaincy Stats

Inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) have commenced their preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season with a training camp in Jaipur, as the franchise looks to fine-tune its combination ahead of the tournament. Several key players, including India's ace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, were seen practising with the team, while the coaching staff worked closely to monitor and ensure peak performance during the tournament. pic.twitter.com/gqGbTvGstc — Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 18, 2026

IPL 2026: Royals' Opening Fixtures

With the schedule for the first phase of the IPL 2026 season announced, the Riyan Parag-led Royals are set to play their campaign opener against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati on March 30. Then, the Rajasthan Royals are scheduled to play on April 4 against the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Their third fixture will be against five-time champions Mumbai Indians on April 7, followed by their match against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10.

Major Trade: Samson to CSK, Jadeja Returns to RR

Earlier, the Rajasthan-based franchise was involved in one of the biggest trade-offs in IPL history ahead of the 2026 season. Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who had been the face of Rajasthan Royals for more than a decade, representing the franchise across 11 seasons, was traded to the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and will now don the yellow colours during the IPL 2026 edition. In return, the inaugural champions, Roysls, got England all-rounder Sam Curran and veteran Ravindra Jadeja, who were traded from CSK.

Notably, Jadeja was part of the Rajasthan squad that lifted the inaugural IPL trophy in 2008 under the captaincy of the late Australian spinner Shane Warne. The veteran all-rounder represented the franchise during the 2008 and 2009 seasons before moving to other teams in the years that followed.

Rajasthan Royals Squad for IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2026: Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen. (ANI)

Kohli Remains the 'Heartbeat' of RCB

Speaking on JioStar, AB de Villiers said Virat Kohli remains the key figure at RCB, thanks to his consistency, leadership, and the energy he brings to the squad. He highlighted Kohli's influence in inspiring younger players and noted that, unlike previous seasons, the team's success last year came from a collective effort rather than reliance on a few individuals. "Virat definitely is still the heartbeat of the franchise. Not only through his performances and the consistency he has achieved with the bat over the years, but also through his presence and the energy he brings to the squad. The way he conducts himself on and off the field, always fighting for the team, stands out," he said.

"He brings that energy and makes the youngsters believe that they can ultimately go on and win the trophy, which RCB did last year. What I liked about last season, yes, he was one of the main run-scorers in the team, as openers usually are, but there were other players who stepped in. In the past, RCB were often guilty of relying on just two, three or four players performing consistently. This time, I felt the entire team chipped in," de Villiers added.

Collective Effort Key to Victory

In the IPL 2025 final, RCB defeated Punjab Kings, also chasing their maiden IPL title, by six runs. Virat Kohli was the top scorer for RCB, with 43 runs in the first innings. However, AB de Villiers said Virat Kohli wasn't alone in the final, as players like Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd also contributed quick runs, while Krunal Pandya delivered with the ball to help secure victory. He emphasised that the team's success came from collective contributions throughout the season, easing the burden on Kohli, and added that with a similar, well-balanced squad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are in a strong position to challenge for the title again.

"The final is a great example, with Virat scoring 43 runs off 35 balls. But it was actually Patidar, Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd who scored at a high strike rate and helped the team post 190-plus, ultimately winning the game. Krunal Pandya also chipped in with the ball. That's my point, players contributing like that throughout the season, and the bowling attack stepping up. Virat can feel that, he can sense that he is not the only one carrying the load anymore. He has a squad of fighters around him, all gunning to win the trophy," the former Proteas cricketer said.

'They Can Go All the Way Again'

"I think they are in a really good place. It's a similar squad, they didn't have to change much, and they have good reason to believe they can go all the way again this coming season," AB de Villiers said.

Kohli Will Be 'Most Definitely Ready'

AB de Villiers expressed full confidence in Virat Kohli's preparation for IPL 2026, praising his work ethic and saying he will be fully ready despite the break. Notably, Kohli, who only plays ODIs for India, having retired from Tests and T20Is, last featured in a match during the India vs New Zealand ODI series back in January this year, where he scored 124 runs. "First of all, he has the best work ethic I have ever seen in my life. So, he will not come into the tournament undercooked. If he doesn't play well, it will purely be down to form or maybe a technical error. I am expecting a great season from him. I can only imagine how hyped he must be after getting quite a bit of rest. Virat will most definitely be ready, there is no doubt about it, and RCB can actually go back-to-back," de Villiers said. (ANI)

Videos circulating on social media showed Kohli arriving at Bengaluru airport under tight security. Dressed in a blue sweatshirt, black trackpants and a cap, the veteran cricketer was accompanied by airport authorities and security personnel. RCB teased his return with a cryptic post, writing, “You don’t have to see him… to know he’s coming! Check the calendar. There will be signs…”

You don’t have to see him… to know he’s coming! Check the calendar. There will be signs… ✨❤️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/qv8tA5ZCrA

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 18, 2026

Kohli’s presence is crucial for RCB, especially after his retirement from T20I and Test cricket. He continues to play ODIs but remains the backbone of the franchise. In IPL 2025, he was instrumental in ending RCB’s 17‑year wait for the trophy, scoring 657 runs at a strike rate of 144.71 and an average of 54.75.

RCB’s Upcoming Fixtures And Squad Depth

The defending champions will open their campaign on March 28 at home against Sunrisers Hyderabad. They will then host Chennai Super Kings on April 5 before travelling to face Rajasthan Royals on April 10 and Mumbai Indians on April 12.

#IPL2026 Phase 1️⃣ Schedule Out!

Cricket’s biggest festival is back and we begin where the noise is the loudest, ನಮ್ಮ Chinnaswamy! ️

Here’s who, when and where the reigning champions will play. ❤️‍

Save the dates, 12th Man Army. It is time to #PlayBold. #ನಮ್ಮRCB… pic.twitter.com/fQkKx4sqaY

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 11, 2026

RCB’s squad for IPL 2026 features Rajat Patidar as captain, alongside Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma and Jordan Cox in the batting department. All‑round options include Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Venkatesh Iyer and others. The bowling attack is led by Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara and Yash Dayal.

The schedule for the first phase of the IPL 2026 was released on Thursday, and the remaining fixtures will be announced after the Election Commission of India finalises the dates for the upcoming State assembly elections. The Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their quest for the fourth IPL title when they take on the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

After enduring a disappointing campaign in the last IPL season, where they failed to defend their crown, KKR will be eager to bounce back with a strong start in the upcoming edition of the tournament.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Why 19th Season of Indian Premier League Set to be the Biggest Ever? Explained

KKR Launches ‘Lines of Legacy’ Jersey

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) unveiled their new kit with a promotional video themed around the ‘Lines of Legacy’, highlighting the franchise’s rich history and achievements in the Indian Premier League. The KKR jersey retains the franchise’s anchise’s iconic purple and gold colours, with the design symbolising the team’s journey and legacy in the tournament.

KKR has had its iconic colours consistently over the last several seasons, though it has tweaked or refined its jersey design slightly to reflect new themes and concepts.

The KKR jersey was designed in such a way that it reflects the storied history of the franchise in the IPL, including Brendon McCullum’s 158* in the inaugural season, Rinku Singh’s five sixes on the trot, and the team’s three IPL title triumphs, which remain some of the defining moments in the franchise’s journey in the tournament.

In the last IPL season, Kolkata Knight Riders wore a special ‘three-star’ jersey with three stars above the crest, symbolising their IPL title triumphs in 2012, 2014, and 2024. This time as well, KKR has three stars above the crest on the jersey, but they have been incorporated as part of the ‘Lines of Legacy’ theme, representing the franchise’s title-winning journey in the tournament.

Did KKR Dig at Royal Challengers Bengaluru?

As the Kolkata Knight Riders officially unveiled their jersey for the IPL 2026, the promotional video quickly grabbed the attention on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), for subtle visual references that appeared to playfully take a dig at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

An X user spotted several cues that seemed to reference RCB’s past struggles against the KKR. In a viral post, the user highlighted numbers like 49 (all-out), 158 (McCullum’s iconic innings), and 105/0 (KKR’s highest powerplay score vs RCB), suggesting the video playfully mocked Bengaluru’s record.

The X post also pointed three stars above the jersey, joking that they might be a cheeky nod to RCB’s single IPL title and past defeats against KKR, fuelling speculation that the video subtly teased their arch-rivals.

KKR unveiled their jersey video today but it was all about trolling RCB.

1st Pic – That's 3 stars behind the guy because RCB put 3 stars on their jersey, including the women's trophy.

2nd Pic – Then they put a 49-second signal pic (49 All Out) 

4th Pic - Take 158, because… pic.twitter.com/Kk4L2Awz4n

— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy) March 14, 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have faced off 36 times in the history of IPL, with the KKR leading 20-15 in a head-to-head record. Despite RCB being a strong side, KKR have historically had the upper hand, leading 20-15 in head-to-head clashes. 

Also Read: RCB vs SRH to RR vs CSK: Top 6 Matches to Watch Out for In The First Phase of IPL 2026

The Viral Post Sparks Debate

The viral post on X (formerly Twitter), which highlighted subtle references in KKR’s jersey video, quickly gained traction, leading to intense debate on social media, with fans and cricket enthusiasts dissecting each frame, speculating if it was a playful dig at RCB or a celebration of KKR’s historic IPL moments.

Reacting to the post, fans and cricket enthusiasts had mixed opinions wirh regards to the viral post, with many highlighting that KKR’s dominance over RCB and defended the references as celebrations of their records, while others joked about the forced rivalry and KKR seeking attention. Many noted the 49 all-out, McCullum’s 158*, and other stats as playful reminders of historical IPL clashes.

3 star: they have 3 trophies
Other things like 272/7, McCullum 158 and 105/0. Well not their fault all those records came against just only RCB.

49 all out: okay you can call them out for this but still again "their" record of getting opposition all out on lowest score. https://t.co/1JkWOXhQXs

— Haydos️ (@GovindIstSTH) March 14, 2026

Not our fault if all of our records came against RCB. 

If we won 3 trophies, obviously we would put 3 stars no ?? why would take that also on RCB !! https://t.co/4sHGNeVBIm

— Taani Partner (@shahcutiekhan) March 14, 2026

Where is KKR lowest score after playing full 20 overs?
Where is double maiden? https://t.co/t3ZoaAa1Iq

— ಕೆಂಪೇಗೌಡ (@naadaprabhugalu) March 14, 2026

They don’t fan base , so want to create forced rivalry with RCB for popularity

— Rakeshcricket (@Rcm494) March 14, 2026

They got zero popularity despite having shah rukh khan and now they are seeking attention from Virat kohlis RCB Wowwwwww

— Vaishanvi Cricket (@Vaishnvii05) March 14, 2026

Admin woke up and chose violence. Mentioning the 49 all out and 158 in the same video is basically KKR reminding RCB that no matter how many stars they add to that jersey, the historical trauma isn't going anywhere. This rivalry is the heartbeat of IPL.

— LOLAllOut (@LolOut160461) March 14, 2026

It's you unemployed RCB fans who are Obsessed with the KKR. And your obsession with the KKR is not just on X but in reality too. I mean, you got only 1 Trophy in your entire run-up just because you had Philip Salt (an ex KKR player), this year you took Venky.
Tells a lot about u.

— Aniket Mishra (@Anii_Miishra) March 14, 2026

We should narrative building from him Lol... All that is done here is KKR have highlighted achievements... Few of them of being against RCB only shows the KKR dominance

— Rishabh Bagaria (@ImRishRB) March 14, 2026

It's not KKR's fault that most if not all records came against RCB.. ask RCB to play better. And lastly stop thinking "Everything revolves around that tinpot franchise"

— Adarsh (@Adarshkumardas2) March 15, 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are expected to face off in the second phase of the upcoming edition of the IPL 2026, where fans will eagerly watch for on-field revenge and competitive banter. Since all 10 teams will play their matches at home and away, this clash promises high stakes and added intensity in the battle of historic rivals.

Playing for DY Patil Red, Kumar has struggled to find rhythm. Once India’s pace spearhead, he was crucial in RCB’s title-winning campaign last year, taking 17 wickets at an economy of 9.28. Despite leaking runs, he delivered with the new ball and in death overs. However, his recent outings in the DY Patil T20 Cup 2026 have been disappointing.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Struggles

In his last five matches, Kumar has managed six wickets but conceded runs at an economy of 10.21. His semi-final performance was particularly poor, giving away 53 runs in four overs despite picking up two wickets. His best recent spell came in the quarterfinal, where he returned 1 for 34, but even then failed to keep the economy below 8.50.

This dip in form raises alarm bells for RCB, who will depend heavily on him in the upcoming season.

RCB’s pace attack faces further setbacks. Josh Hazlewood’s availability remains uncertain after missing the T20 World Cup 2026 and being out of action since November. While Jacob Duffy is a backup option, the gulf in experience is significant.

Meanwhile, Yash Dayal is unlikely to feature due to serious criminal allegations. Even if RCB bring in a replacement, filling his role effectively will be difficult.

Pace Attack Under Pressure

With two-thirds of last season’s pace unit unavailable, Bhuvneshwar Kumar becomes the leader of the attack. His current form, however, does not inspire confidence. Head coach Andy Flower and the management have built a strong squad with specific roles, but uncontrollable factors have disrupted their plans.

The defending champions will hope Kumar can rediscover his rhythm before the title defence begins, as his performances could define RCB’s chances of retaining the trophy.

According to The Times of India, MI asked RCB to exhaust all other options before considering DY Patil. Sources explained that MI does not want to set a precedent of allowing another franchise to establish a base so close to Wankhede Stadium. “If a franchise wants to set up a base at DY Patil, it cannot happen without approval from the one operating out of Wankhede,” a source said, adding that MI believes RCB should explore other non‑IPL centres across the country.

The concern is that granting approval now could open the door for other franchises to host games in Mumbai in the future, undermining MI’s home territory.

Meanwhile, questions remain about whether RCB can return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The venue has not hosted major matches since the incident during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations. Renovations are underway following recommendations from Justice D’Cunha.

RCB officials, including COO Rajesh Menon, recently met KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad and Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara. While KSCA remains optimistic about the team’s return to Chinnaswamy, the franchise continues to evaluate alternatives.

A decision must be made soon, with communication to the IPL Governing Council and BCCI required before fixtures are finalized.

With a 204-run target, RCB chased it down with two balls to spare in the final over of the title clash. Mandhana led the batting with a captain’s knock of 87 off 41 balls, including 12 fours and 3 sixes, at a strike rate of 212.20, and formed a record 165-run partnership for the second wicket with Georgia Voll, who contributed with a crucial innings of 79 off 54 balls, including 14 fours.

Radha Yadav also emerged as a hero as she hit two consecutive fours when Bengaluru required 8 runs off 4 balls to win the final to seal a dramatic victory, despite a mini-collapse in the batting line-up.

‘She’s Gone Through a Lot’

RCB captain Smriti Mandhana became just the second captain, after Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, to win WPL twice. As Mandhana once again led Bengaluru to another league title, Shreyanka Patil paid tribute to her resilience and leadership.

Speaking on Jio Hotstar after the RCB victory in the final, Shreyanka dedicated the team’s victory to Smriti Mandhana, highlighting that the captain had gone through a lot in the last one and a half months. She also acknowledged coach Malolan Rangarajan, celebrating his first title as a coach, and wished assistant coach Anya Shrubsole’s son a happy first birthday, calling the victory a special moment for the entire team.

“Very special feeling, and I would love to mention three people - number one, Smriti, because she has gone through a lot in the last one and a half months. This win is very special. I would love to dedicate this win to her. Malo and Anya,” Shreyanka said.

“Today is Anya's son's birthday - first year. I would love to wish him a happy birthday. And again, Malo - first time he's head coach for the team and I think it's a special win for all of us,” she added.

Happy Captain, Happy Us. ❤️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #WPL2026 #RCBvDC pic.twitter.com/HB73PgEZTR

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 5, 2026

Under the leadership of Mandhana and coach Rangrajan, the RCB women’s team was quite dominant throughout the WPL 2026, finishing at the top of the points table with six wins and two losses, and accumulated 12 points from eight outings.

As the table toppers, the Smriti Mandhana-led side directly qualified for the final, where they went on to defeat the Delhi Capitals to clinch the title.

Personal Setback to WPL Glory

Shreyanka Patil’s tribute to Smriti Mandhana was a reference to the difficult phase Smriti Mandhana endured after her marriage to ex-boyfriend and musician Palash Muchhal was called off. Mandhana was set to get married to her longtime boyfriend, Palash in November, but it was called off following prolonged delays, family health emergencies, and ultimately a public announcement that the ceremony was cancelled.

It was reported that Mucchal was unfaithful to Mandhana during the wedding festivities. A claim surfaced on social media after her father fell ill on the day of the wedding, and the ceremony was postponed indefinitely. However, neither family confirmed the allegations, and both parties sought privacy amid ongoing speculation.

⭐️ First Player at the WPL Auction. 
❤️‍ First Royal Challenger.
Two-Time WPL Champion. 
And an Orange Cap Winner.

Queen Smriti Mandhana. pic.twitter.com/p6hzyL5i8C

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 5, 2026

However, the personal setback did not deter Smriti Mandhana’s focus or performance. In December last year, Mandhana had a decent outing in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, scoring 120 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 30 and a strike rate of 133.33 in four matches. Thereafter, Smriti Mandhana guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second WPL title.

Smriti Mandhana was the standout batter of the WPL 2026, amassing 377 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 53.85 and a strike rate of 153.25 in nine matches. She received the Orange Cap for being the highest run-getter of the season.

Taking to social media moments after the win, Kohli praised the resilience and spirit of the women’s side. “Champions again. Keeping the RCB flag flying high and something that each one of you can be proud of,” he wrote. “To Smriti and the whole squad and the management team, a big congratulations for this tremendous victory. You guys deserve this undoubtedly. Enjoy the moment and embrace the love of our amazing fans.”

virat kohli is certified RCBpaglu be it mens or womens u will surely find him cheering for them pic.twitter.com/tSVMCJoNxN

— (@sleepyxoxoheads) February 5, 2026

The triumph carried echoes of RCB’s breakthrough in 2024, when Mandhana led the women’s team to their first major title. That victory ended years of frustration for the Bengaluru outfit, long considered one of the most-followed yet underachieving franchises. The men’s team followed suit in 2025, lifting the IPL trophy under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, finally giving Kohli the championship glory he had chased for nearly two decades.

The 2026 final at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara was a spectacle of high drama and record-breaking performances. Delhi Capitals, contesting their fourth straight final, posted a formidable 203 for 4, powered by Jemimah Rodrigues’ fluent 57. It was the highest total ever recorded in a WPL final, leaving RCB with a daunting chase.

Mandhana rose to the challenge with a captain’s knock that will be remembered as one of the finest in tournament history. Her blistering 87 off 41 balls set the tone, while Georgia Voll’s composed 79 provided the perfect foil. Together, they stitched a 165-run stand that dismantled Delhi’s bowling attack. Despite late nerves, RCB crossed the finish line with two balls to spare, completing the highest successful chase in WPL history.

The win sealed RCB’s second WPL crown, adding to their 2024 success, and cemented the 2025–26 season as the franchise’s golden era. Dominant throughout the campaign, the women’s team won six of eight league matches to secure a direct berth in the final. Mandhana’s consistency was unmatched, as she finished with the Orange Cap, proving that captaincy only sharpened her batting brilliance.

With a mammoth 204-run target by the Capitals, the Royal Challengers chased it down with two balls to spare in the final over of the match. Skipper Smriti Mandhana led the batting with a captain’s knock of 87 off 41 balls, including 12 fours and 3 sixes, at an impressive strike rate of 212.20. Australian batter Georgia Voll played a crucial innings of 79 off 54 balls, including 14 fours, at a strike rate of 146.30.

- C #. ❤️‍

From the first ball to the final roar, we owned the journey. ✨
Top of the table all season, with a new star shining every night.

Built on belief , powered by depth , and driven by togetherness ❤️‍.

A… pic.twitter.com/oVXOAfMw0l

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 5, 2026

For Delhi Capitals, skipper Jemimah Rodrigues played a captain’s innings of 57 off 37 balls, while Laura Wolvaardt (44), Lizelle Lee (37), and Chinelle Henry (35*) guided the four-time finalist to a commanding total of 203/4. However, the Capitals’ bowling unit failed to defend the total under pressure, as RCB’s top-order kept the required run-rate under check.

RCB Pull Off Victory Despite Mini-Collapse

In a 204-run chase, Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered an early setback with the dismissal of Grace Harris for 9 at 9/1. Thereafter, Smriti Mandhana was joined by Georgia Voll to carry on RCB’s run chase. The pair was involved in a crucial partnership that steadied RCB’s chase while keeping the run chase consistently under control.

While Mandhana led the charge with an aggressive and attacking strokeplay, accelerating RCB’s run chase post powerplay, Voll was providing a solid support to the skipper by y rotating the strike efficiently and finding boundaries at regular intervals. The pair shared a record 165-run stand for the second wicket before Voll’s dismissal at 174/2. At the time of Georgia Voll’s dismissal, RCB needed 30 off 21 balls, and Mandhana was still at the crease.

Smriti Mandhana shifts gears!

It’s raining boundaries in Vadodara, will #DC find a breakthrough here? #TATAWPL FINAL | #RCBvDC | LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/FmrTMIlPeW pic.twitter.com/LFibOtoZwr

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 5, 2026

Too many runs, too much aura in a single frame!

The highest partnership in a TATA WPL final, this pair is unstoppable in the run chase! #TATAWPL FINAL | #RCBvDC | LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/FmrTMIlPeW pic.twitter.com/vZFR5pxcqg

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 5, 2026

However, RCB suffered a mini-collapse with dismissals of Richa Ghosh (6) and Mandhana, and they were reduced to 191/4, needing 13 runs off 8 balls to win the match. The onus was left to Nadine de Klerk to chase down the target. However, it was Radha Yadav who finished the chase for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Needing 8 runs off 4 balls to win the match, Radha smashed two successive fours to take the team past the finishing line with two balls to spare, sealing a six-wicket victory and their second Women’s Premier League title.

2024
2026

A match worthy of a final, and @RCBTweets have clinched it in the most dramatic fashion to seal their 2nd title! ❤️

Watch highlights here https://t.co/IkcrJXi6dH#TATAWPL #RCBvDC #TATAWPLFinal pic.twitter.com/QCBMNvi8oh

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 5, 2026

With this victory, Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the second team, after the Mumbai Indians, to win two WPL titles. In fact, Bengaluru and Mumbai are the teams to have won the Women’s Premier League title, making them the competition’s only champions so far.

‘Ee Saala Cup Namdu Again’

Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans could not contain their excitement and joy after the women’s team clinched the second title, making them the joint-most successful team in the history of the Women’s Premier League.

Taking to their X handle (formerly Twitter), RCB fans and cricket enthusiasts hailed the team’s title triumph, lavished praise on match-winning knocks by Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll, and revived the popular “Ee Saala Cup Namdu Again” chant following the historic win.

While others backed the RCB men’s team to secure four titles for the franchise as a whole by defending their IPL triumph from last year in the upcoming edition of the tournament.

Sensational campaign this from RCB. A near perfect one that was orchestrated at the auction table. A well deserved winners!

— Sa. Gomesh | ச. கோமேஷ் (@SaGomesh) February 5, 2026

EEE SALA CUP NAMDU

— Deepak paswan (@PaswanDeep12610) February 5, 2026

Ee Sala Cup Again Namde

— Ramesh S (@Ramesh3508) February 5, 2026

❤now it's over to our boys to make it ×2

— Irushi Karunarathne (@Im_IrushiK) February 5, 2026

Absolutely, this is our year!

— Global Grins (@GlobalGrinss) February 5, 2026

Now it’s up to our boys to make it 4th

— Uzair (@Neon_Dreams18) February 5, 2026

“History repeats itself! RCB Women are champions for the second time ”

“Twice the pride, twice the glory — RCB Women reign again ❤️”

Congratulations @RCBTweets #WPLFinal #wpl pic.twitter.com/IEz2tnK8In

— indianTeamCric (@Teamindiacrick) February 5, 2026

RCB women team has brought so much good fortune to RCB's men team also, everything is going so well ever since RCB-W won this trophy❤️pic.twitter.com/AAno91PRNa

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) February 5, 2026

All the hate towards Malolan (including from me for his scouting), but on the coaching front he deserves the flowers, Just look at RCB Women praising him for his work and the RCB management as well. Deserve all the praise well done.

— Sai (@akakrcb6) February 5, 2026

#RCB #RCB have claimed the crown once again ❤️
Match winning knocks by Smriti Mandhana & Georgia Voll ✨
A dominant one sided performance to clinch the TATAWPL 2026 title ✨
History made glory earned ..RCB Women reign supreme 
#RCBWomen#RCBvsDD pic.twitter.com/bDL3s9hMOn

— Vikash_frank (@Vikashrahul9) February 5, 2026

CHAMPIONS AT LAST!
RCB Women rise, rule, and rewrite history ❤️
Strength, belief, and brilliance — this is RCB! #RCBWomen #WPLChampions #RCB #WomenInCricket #HistoricWin #RCBArmy #CricketFever #TrendingNow #viralpost pic.twitter.com/V1KGj68NMr

— Rakesh Khajuria (@ModifiedRPK) February 5, 2026

RCB Women are champions again! One side Dominant throughout the tournament and finals and night to celebrate for Every @RCBTweets Fan 
Back 2 back Tittles for men and women 
RCB Supremacy #WPLFinal #RCBW #RCBvsDC pic.twitter.com/0w1QOvn3fQ

— Ran Vijay Singh (@opnutrition35) February 5, 2026

Wow what a moment. Loved every bit of it. RCB women are champions again. Against all the odds we have won the trophy today. 

All hail RCB women's team #Champions #RcbW #WPLFinal

— Samrudh (@samjag123) February 5, 2026

RCB women's Team won the 2nd Title

Smriti Mandhana brilliant knock with 200SR+

Georgia Voll superb knock

First Franchise holds both men's and women's IPL cup in same time

— Cric Irfan (@Irfan_irru_17) February 5, 2026

What a performance from RCB Women. Really unbelievable. Successfully hased a mammoth total of 204 in 19.4 overs. Smriti Mandhana, just another day for her with the bat.

— VIKASH KUMAR (@vkc1000) February 5, 2026

there are teams that win and then there are teams that rewrite their own destiny slowly, painfully and in full public view. rcb’s women didn’t just lift a trophy; they flipped a script that had been stuck on repeat for years.

for the longest time, being an rcb fan meant…

— Shubh (@kadaipaneeeer) February 5, 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team to hold the IPL and WPL titles simultaneously, underlining the franchise’s dominance across both the men’s and women’s competitions.

RCB women’s team was quite dominant throughout the WPL 2026, finishing at the top of the points table with six wins and two losses, and accumulated 12 points from eight outings. As the table toppers, the Smriti Mandhana-led side directly qualified for the final, where they went on to defeat Delhi Capitals to clinch the title.

The RCB went 17 seasons without winning an IPL trophy, despite reaching the finals thrice in 2009, 2011, and 2016, making their 2025 triumph a historic moment for the franchise. This was the second league title for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru after the women’s team clinched the Women’s Premier League title in 2024, defeating Delhi Capitals in the final.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (formerly Royal Challengers Bangalore) were one of the three original teams, alongside Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) and Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils), to have not won an IPL title since the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008.

Now, the Bengaluru-based team is an IPL champion and joins Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Deccan Chargers, and Gujarat Titans in the elite list.

Nothing Brands Sponsors RCB Jersey

Ahead of IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has announced ‘Nothing’ as their official jersey title sponsor. Nothing is a London-based electronics company that produces smartphones, audio products, and technology-related accessories. Over the past few years, the Nothing brand has rapidly expanded its base presence in India as a design-focused challenger brand.

Nothing sponsoring Royal Challengers Bengaluru as their official jersey title partner marks a bold move for the brand, generating significant buzz on social media. The electronics company replaced Qatar Airways, which served as RCB’s jersey sponsor for three seasons from 2023 to 2025, marking a shift from the global airline to a technology-focused brand.

Two years. One partnership. @nothingindia, let’s do this. pic.twitter.com/BuwLAvtXeL

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 3, 2026

For the third time, the electronics company became the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title sponsor after Huawei (2014 to 2015) and Gionee (2017). ‘Nothing’ is now the third tech brand in RCB’s history to take on the jersey title sponsorship, continuing the trend of electronics companies partnering with the Bengaluru-based IPL franchise.

However, sports apparel major Puma is expected to continue as the kits sponsor for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as per the existing agreement. Since 2021, Puma has served as the RCB’s official kit sponsor, continuing to provide the team’s on-field and training apparel.

‘Nothing’ Means Everything: Fans Have a Field Day Online

The ‘Nothing’ brand is becoming Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s new jersey title sponsor for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) sparked reactions from sections of fans and cricket enthusiasts, who were quite amused by the irony surrounding the sponsor’s name.

Taking to their handles (formerly Twitter), fans and cricket enthusiasts flooded the social media with memes and hilarious reactions over RCB securing a jersey sponsor named ‘Nothing’ just a year after ending their long wait for an IPL title. Fans jokingly pointed out that the sponsorship would have been relentless meme material had not RCB won the coveted IPL title, with many expressing relief that the team already has a trophy.

While others highlighted how the timing of the deal transformed what could have been brutal trolling into a moment of playful banter and viral humour.

Nothing doesn't mean Nothing

The Sponsor's name is Nothing....

Now RCB has everything and Nothing at the same time....

— Bhavya (@The_Viral_Idiot) February 3, 2026

Thank God we got the trophy otherwise they would tease us by calling nothing

— ZeroFilter (@ZeroFilter01) February 3, 2026

If this title sponser happened last year

— Harry (@harrysin9h) February 3, 2026

Perfect sponsor to describe RCB as a team in IPL

— Venky Mama (@venkymama100) February 3, 2026

Imagine if RCB didn't have trophy?
with NOTHING sponsor

— Naruto (@nar_uto_07) February 3, 2026

Thank god they now have a trophy otherwise this would’ve been a huge self troll for RCB

— Yogesh (@cricketYogesh) February 3, 2026

Nothing like anything

— Rishabh Singh Bisht (@Rishabh08296375) February 3, 2026

Thank God we won the cup first. Imagine losing the IPL and announcing this sponsor. 

Thanks RCB for the 2025 trophy . pic.twitter.com/D5gxxyWwbY

— Mohammed Ayaz (@Mohamme92505928) February 3, 2026

RCB wins IPL 2025 
Nothing becomes sponsor IPL 2026 

The moment we got something, they gave us Nothing.

— ViralBhasadX (@ViralBhasadX) February 3, 2026

We can't make nothing joke because they won trophy

— Ashish (@ghalkeashish) February 3, 2026

This would've been a generational meme content if they had sponsored last season itself.

— Akashᴸᴱᴼꪑડd (@Akash02101) February 3, 2026

Thankfully they have one title

— Sai Shreyas (@SaiShre43225906) February 3, 2026

This thing would have been very funny if RCB had not won the trophy.

— ✌BOII✌ (@BHARATIYA286993) February 3, 2026

Acha hua 2025 se pehle nothing sponsor nahi tha

— Deepanshu Vasistha (@pkmkbforev) February 3, 2026

Thank God this collaboration happened after winning the trophy, Forever grateful for June 3

— Krish (@Krish_uf) February 3, 2026

Thank God You Got a Trophy Before This Sponsor

— Rohit (@RohitXifitic837) February 3, 2026

For the first time in 19 seasons, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will head into the IPL as the defending champions of the tournament, carrying the momentum on the field and buzz off it.

Given the tradition of the previous season’s champions featuring in the opening match, RCB are set to kick off the IPL 2026 season in the tournament opener, marking a new chapter for the franchise as reigning champions.

In November 2025, United Spirits Ltd (USL), the Indian arm of Diageo, put the Bengaluru-based IPL franchise up for sale, with the sale process expected to conclude by March 31, 2026. The new owner will take over the RCB franchise in the middle of the IPL 2026, which is tentatively scheduled to take place in March 2026.

In the last IPL season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18-year wait to clinch the coveted trophy, defeating two-time finalists Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in June. Following the historic maiden IPL title, the current owner of the RCB franchise filed a disclosure with BSE for a ‘strategic review’ of its investment in the franchise through its wholly-owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd. (RCSPL).

Adar Poonawalla Officially Enters Race for RCB Acquisition

It’s been two months since the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was put up for sale after United Spirits Ltd (USL) filed for a strategic review, but there was no official confirmation about the interested parties until Adar Poonawalla publicly announced his intent to bid for the franchise.

SII CEO confirmed his intention to make a bid for the Bengaluru-based IPL franchise on his X handle.

Poonawalla stated that he will place a ‘competitive and strong’ bid for the RCB over the next two months, while hailing the team as ‘one of the best’ in the IPL.

“Over the next few months, will be putting in a STRONG and COMPETITIVE bid for @RCBTweets, one of the best teams in the IPL,” Adar Poonawalla wrote on X.

Over the next few months, will be putting in a STRONG and COMPETITIVE bid for @RCBTweets, one of the best teams in the IPL.

— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 22, 2026

Earlier, Adar Poonawalla had hinted at his interest in acquiring the franchise osting that ' at the right valuation, RCB is a great team’, before officially confirming of entering the race to bid for the Bengaluru-based IPL franchise, which was first owned by former Kingfisher chairman, Vijay Mallaye, who bought the team for $111.6 million in 2008.

A Billion Dollar Sale for Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The United Spirits Limited was reportedly eyeing a billion-dollar sale of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which would make it the most expensive franchise in the history of IPL. The current owner of the Bengaluru-based IPL franchise was looking for a valuation of $2 billion (around ₹17,500 crore) for the sale of a partial or full stake in the franchise.

The valuation is substantially higher than the franchise’s market value. Following a historic IPL 2025 triumph, Royal Challengers Bengaluru witnessed a surge in its market value and was the most-valued franchise with a brand value of $269 million (approximately ₹2,390 crore), according to a Houlihan Lokey valuation report.

However, according to the report by Brand Finance in December 2025, the IPL brand valuation dropped sharply, while RCB’s brand value remained strong at $105 million, but it still saw a 10% decline compared to the previous year, reflecting broader market pressures on franchise valuations. However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru remained the most valued and commercially strong IPL franchise, attracting investors for the acquisition despite a slight decline in the brand value.

The sale of the RCB franchise was overshadowed by the tragedy, wherein 11 people died, and over 50 were injured during a deadly stampede outside M Chinnawamy Stadium during the team’s IPL victory celebrations in the capital city of Karnataka on June 4. However, the stampede did not have any impact on the franchise’s market value or the ongoing sale process, with investor interest in RCB remaining strong despite the tragic incident.

Karnataka State Cricket Association president Venkatesh Prasad confirmed that while the government’s nod was secured, the franchise still had “apprehension” about staging games in Bengaluru. RCB issued a statement acknowledging the approval but pointed to “grey areas” that needed clarity before committing to play at their traditional home ground.

“While our desire is always to play at our home ground, in front of our ardent fans, we want to be thorough in our commitment to understand further the conditions applicable to host matches here and the measures taken to ensure fans’ safety protocols are met,” the franchise said. They added that inputs from stakeholders were being considered before arriving at a responsible decision.

Reports suggest RCB has shortlisted Mumbai and Raipur as alternative venues should they opt against playing in Bengaluru. Prasad, however, urged the team to remain in the city, stressing that the franchise’s growth was built on the support of the local crowd. “It is also the responsibility of RCB to take this dialogue forward and play here rather than take the game away from Bengaluru,” he said.

KSCA officials have held meetings with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and Home Minister G. Parameshwara. An Expert Committee under Greater Bengaluru Authority chairman Maheshwar Rao was formed to oversee the implementation of Justice Michael D’Cunha panel’s recommendations.

Structural changes at Chinnaswamy are being carried out to meet the committee’s conditions. Queen’s Road will feature two six-metre-wide gates to ease crowd movement and reduce congestion. Holding areas are being created by flattening structures, while ramps and lifts are planned to prevent crowding. The B ground and tennis courts will also be used to manage spectators.

The state Home Department has permitted KSCA to host both international and IPL matches at the venue, provided the stipulated safety measures are completed within a set timeframe. With the ball now in RCB’s court, the franchise must decide whether to embrace its home base or shift matches elsewhere.

Gujarat Giants' Chase Falters

While defending a target of 179 runs, RCB were off to a fine start as right-arm pacer Sayali Sathghare cleaned up dangerous Beth Mooney (3) and Sophie Devine (0) early in the second over of the match, leaving GG at 4/2 in 1.5 overs. In the third over, Lauren Bell struck, hitting Kanika Ahuja's off-stump as she was sent back for a three-ball duck. GG was 5/3 in 2.5 overs.

Anushka Sharma threatened to counter-attack, getting boundaries against both Sayali and Lauren, but it was Nadine de Klerk who sent her packing for 20-ball 18 (with three fours) as she sliced the delivery straight into the hands of Radha Yadav at sweeper cover, leaving GG at 34/4 in seven overs.

Skipper Ash Gardner and Kashvee Gautam took their team halfway through the innings safely at a score of 48/4, but Radha sent half the GG team packing by disturbing Kashvee's off-stump, dismissing her for four. GG was 48/5 in 10.1 overs. GG reached the 50-run mark in 10.3 overs.

There was no keeping Sayali out of action as she plucked the catch of Georgia Wareham (2) to give Nadine her second wicket. GG was 56/6 in 12.2 overs.

Gardner relieved some pressure, with three fours against Radha in the 14th over, but it barely seemed to matter as by 15 overs, GG was at 85/6, with Gardner bringing up her fifty in 39 balls, with five fours and a six. Sayali got her third, removing Gardner for a 43-ball 54, with five fours and a six in the 17th over, leaving GG at 99/7 in 16.2 overs.

Shreyanka Patil took a brutal Bharti Fulmali down for 15-ball 14, leaving GG at 103/8 in 17.5 overs. GG ended their innings at 117/8 in 20 overs, winning by 61 runs.

Sayali (3/21 in four overs) was sensational with the ball, with Lauren (1/23 in four overs) also continuing her red-hot run in WPL. Nadine de Klerk (2/17 in four overs) also bowled a brilliant spell.

Naik's Half-Century Lifts RCB

Earlier, a brilliant half-century from uncapped Indian Gautami Naik helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) register 178/6 in 20 overs, leaving them with 179 runs to defend in order to seal their fifth win in a row.

After Gujarat Giants opted to field first, they were off to a great start as pacer Renunka Singh's inswinger made a dangerous Grace Harris give an easy catch to GG skipper Ash Gardner at mid-on for just one run in three balls. RCB was 2/1 in one over. \ Also, Georgia Voll was dismissed by Kashvee Gautam for just one run as well, reducing RCB to 9/2 in two overs.

In the fourth over, skipper Smriti Mandhana broke the shackles with a couple of boundaries against Gardner. At the end of six overs of the powerplay, RCB was 37/2, with Mandhana (18*) and Gautami Naik (10*) unbeaten.

Gautami became the aggressor in the partnership, collecting boundaries against Renuka, Happy Kumari and Sophie Devine. The half-century came in just 36 balls. However, it was a 'captain got the captain' moment as Gardner trapped Smriti leg-before-wicket for a 23-ball 26, with four boundaries. RCB was 69/3 in 9.3 overs, with the 60-run partnership undone.

Richa Ghosh and Gautami continued breaking shackles against Georgia Wareham, collecting six and four each. Naik reached her maiden WPL fifty in 42 balls, with four boundaries and a six, marking another instance of uncapped Indian talent making an impact in the competition. RCB brought up their 100-run mark in 13.3 overs.

Richa upped the ante, with two sixes against Tanuja Kanwer in the 16th over as another half-century stand came up in 35 balls. Richa's valiant 20-ball 27, with three sixes, ended with her holing one out at long-on to Gardner, giving Devine her wicket. RCB was 138/4 in 17 overs, with a 69-run partnership undone again.

In the very next over, after conceding a four, skipper Gardner removed Gautami for a 55-ball 73, with seven fours and a six. RCB was 142/5 in 17.2 overs.

Radha Yadav came and made an impact straight away with a six against Devine and two fours against Kashvee, but the latter removed her following a solid cameo of 17 in eight balls, reducing RCB to 170/6 in 19.4 overs.

RCB ended their innings at 178/6 in 20 overs, with Shreyanka Patil collecting two fours on the last two balls, staying unbeaten on eight with Nadine de Klerk (4*). Kashvee (2/38) and Gardner (2/43) were the top wicket takers for Gujarat Giants. Devine also got one wicket.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The decision follows the tragic stampede during the team’s victory parade last year, which claimed 11 lives and injured more than 50. Since then, the stadium has remained under scrutiny, with top‑flight cricket yet to return.

According to The Times of India, RCB officials have finalised plans to stage five matches in Navi Mumbai and two in Raipur. The arrangement was reached after meetings with local authorities, and an official announcement is expected soon.

The relocation is temporary, as the Karnataka State Cricket Association continues efforts to restore confidence in the stadium’s safety standards. Despite consultations with the state government, the venue was denied permission to host Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures last December, forcing those matches to be moved to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.

The Justice John Michael D’Cunha committee, appointed after the June 4 stampede, delivered a grim assessment of the stadium, labelling it “highly unsafe” for large‑scale events. That report has played a decisive role in delaying the return of major cricket to the iconic Bengaluru ground.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals are also preparing for a change of base next season. With the Rajasthan Cricket Association still unable to resolve its long‑standing electoral disputes, their home fixtures will be shifted to the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal had earlier warned the RCA that failure to conduct elections would make it difficult to stage the tournament in Jaipur.

With a 155-run target set by the Mumbai Indians, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased it down on the final ball of the match, with Nadine de Klerk playing a scintillating innings of 63 off 44 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 143.18, helping the 2024 winners to began their quest for the second title on a winning note.

Earlier, Nadine de Klerk led the RCB bowling attack with figures of 4/26 at an economy rate of 6.50 in her spell of four overs to restrict the Mumbai Indians to 154/6, despite an 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Sanjana Sajeevan (45) and Nicola Carey (40).

How Did Nadine de Klerk Pull off Thriller?

Chasing a 155-run target, Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a shaky start to their innings with dismissals of their skipper, Smriti Mandhana (18), Grace Harris (25), Dayalan Hemalatha (7), Richa Ghosh (6), and Radha Yadav (1), and they were reduced to 65/5 in 7.4 overs, leaving in a position of reeling.

However, a crucial 52-run stand for the sixth wicket between Arundhati Reddy (20) and Nadine de Klerk revived RCB’s hopes of chasing down the target before the latter’s dismissal at 117/6. Thereafter, Shreyanka Patil (1) had a short stay at the crease as she was dismissed at 121/7. Following Shreyanka’s dismissal, the responsibility fell on de Klerk to take RCB past the finishing line.

The South African all-rounder embraced the responsibility and steadied Bengaluru’s run chase until the equation came down to 18 runs off 6 balls. Given the equation, the momentum appeared firmly in the Mumbai Indians’ favour before Nadine de Klerk did the impossible. In the final over, de Klerk conceded two dot balls before smashing two fours and a six off Nat Sciver-Brunt, not only to complete her fifty, but also brought down the equation to just two runs needed off the final delivery.

Pure power on display from Nadine de Klerk!

Will this turn out to be a match defining knock? ✍#TATAWPL, #MIvRCB LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/9yNrlZigBP pic.twitter.com/Nk4drjOhJn

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 9, 2026

De Klerk sealed the victory on the final ball by hitting a winning four, and the RCB dugout erupted in joy and celebration as they celebrated a memorable comeback win to start their WPL 2026 campaign on a dramatic high.

18 needed off last 6 balls, Nat Sciver-Brunt bowling. Pressure? WHAT PRESSURE!!!!!!

Nadine de Klerk lit up the opening night of #TATAWPL 2026 & how!

Relive the opening day thriller https://t.co/Q2ZlYQUV2Q pic.twitter.com/WFWBeMN4Lg

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 9, 2026

The WPL 2026 opener would have had the first Super Over of the season had Nat Sciver-Brunt managed to defend the final delivery, but de Klerk’s composure under pressure denied the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, that chance and ensured a thrilling finish in regulation play.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru must have lost hope when five wickets fell in 65 runs, but the turnaround through the partnership between Arundhati Reddy and Nadine de Klerk, fearless finishing by the South African all-rounder, turned the game on its head, sealing one of RCB’s most dramatic WPL wins.

Nadine de Klerk Earns Lavish Praise for her Knock

Nadine de Klerk’s match-winning performance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL 2026 opener against the Mumbai Indians was lauded and praised by fans and cricket enthusiasts, who were amazed by her calm under pressure and ability to deliver when it mattered most in a high-stakes chase.

Taking to their X handles (formerly Twitter), RCB fans and cricket enthusiasts hailed the South African all-rounder for her clutch performance and all-round brilliance, while comparing her with another South African star, AB de Villiers, who too played for RCB and was renowned for producing match-winning knocks under pressure in RCB colours.

AB DE VILLIERS FOR RCB IN IPL.

NADINE DE KLERK FOR RCB IN WPL.

The South African blood. pic.twitter.com/IG4gY2SU9m

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 9, 2026

RCB WON THE OPENING GAME OF WPL 2026. 

- Nadine de Klerk the absolute star, 18 needed in the final over and she finished the game. pic.twitter.com/nf84XjeEeO

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 9, 2026

Build Nadine de Klerk a statue. pic.twitter.com/EEUMJWpJ4L

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 9, 2026

Nadine De Klerk - remember the name

— Prasanna (@prasannalara) January 9, 2026

Nadine de Klerk is the best all-rounder in T20s!

In her very first WPL match, she scored 63 runs off 44 balls and took 4 wickets

SHE IS ABSOLUTE CHAMPION pic.twitter.com/XhtUZe0CD2

— Mention Cricket (@MentionCricket) January 9, 2026

Nadine de Klerk, you rockstar! One of the greatest T20 all round performances in history.

4-26 with the ball.
Comes in to bat at 65/5 & anchors the chase.

18 off 6, plays 2 dots, 18 off 4. Smacks 6466 to win RCB the game. Absolute madness. What a start to the WPL! Blockbuster! pic.twitter.com/wGtTdM5LGz

— Mama (@SriniMaama16) January 9, 2026

Nadine De Klerk Ab De Villiers
"De" in their names stands for Destruction pic.twitter.com/4SVx0XntPQ

— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) January 9, 2026

You knew it at the Women’s World Cup - Nadine de Klerk is going to be an absolute game changer wherever she goes. What a start to the WPL !! First of many this season for @rcb for sure …

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) January 9, 2026

Nadine de Klerk want a player man absolute gold dust ❤️
With ball 4 over for 26-4 
With bat 63 of 44 
For this is all time top 5 T20 performance (women's) pic.twitter.com/3piUYLnv7N

— GOAT Academy (@PriyanshuT9034) January 9, 2026

Nadine de Klerk wow what an amazing knock to win it for RCB . Such a weapon with 63 off 44 . @wplt20 @CSA

— O'Neil Nair (@ONeilNair1) January 9, 2026

RCB start WPL 2026 with a thrilling opening-game victory ❤️

Nadine de Klerk – the absolute superstar for RCB!

- 4/26 with the ball 
- 63*(44) with bat 

A proper all-rounder performance #WPL2026#RCBvsMI pic.twitter.com/GEhhNpV4l1

— Ramgopal Meena (@Ramgopa31416915) January 9, 2026

Nadine De Klerk : 6 4 6 4 in last over

RCB got another AB DE VILLIERS

What a finish that from Nadine de Klerk pic.twitter.com/qLzjTHCtpF

— ® (@NitinNabin_) January 9, 2026

Nadine de Klerk was acquired by the RCB for 65 lakh at the WPL 2026 mega auction in November last year. Her acquisition was based on her performance in the Women’s World Cup in India, where he scored 208 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 52 and picked nine wickets in nine matches.

Meanwhile, RCB will return to action when they take on the Gujarat Titans in while the Mumbai Indians will look to make a comeback when the defending champions lock horns with UP Warriorz in Vadodara on Saturday, January 10.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter has amassed 514 runs at an average of 102.80 and a strike rate of 102.18. His scores include 147 against Jharkhand, 124 versus Kerala, 113 against Puducherry, and now 108 against Tripura.

Fans have been captivated by his consistency, with many urging selectors to include him in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series. One supporter highlighted his record: “Hundred in first match, second match, fourth match, fifth match. Padikkal is ruling Indian domestic cricket.”

Padikkal’s List A numbers underline his impact. Before the Tripura clash, he had scored 2,477 runs in 37 matches at an average of 82.56, with 12 centuries and 12 fifties. His debut came in 2019 against Jharkhand, and since then he has built a reputation as one of the most reliable run‑scorers in domestic cricket.

In the 2024‑25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he played three matches and scored 196 runs, including a century and a fifty. The previous season saw him collect 465 runs from five games at an average of 155.00, with two centuries and three fifties.

Over the last three years, Padikkal has consistently delivered in the 50‑over format, cementing his place among the most prolific batters in Indian domestic cricket. His current form has sparked widespread fan reactions, with calls growing louder for his elevation to the national team.

Another day, another century for Devdutt Padikkal‍

No use playing domestic cricket if a guy with Bradman-esque stats gets ignored every time pic.twitter.com/MDnZkU0I4J

— sir jacob bethell (@bet_helll) January 3, 2026

Normal day in the office for Devdutt Padikkal
Wake up 
Score 100
Repeat
He’s scored more centuries in just 38 List A matches than many top batters manage in their entire careers, still no national callup in this format
Ridiculous!#VijayHazareTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/sCAoNSd8DI

— Karnataka Sports Fans (@karnataka_sport) January 3, 2026

Another hundred for Devdutt Padikkal. What batting from this guy... 4 hundreds in 5 games this VHT. Unreal consistency in List A for years.

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) January 3, 2026

“If Devdutt Padikkal is not selected for the 2027 World Cup at the No. 3 spot, it will be BCCI’s loss, not his.” pic.twitter.com/NTBp3A2nJB

— . (@Rishi__458) January 3, 2026

Devdutt Padikkal — remarkable consistency. Surely takes Jurel’s spot in the ODI squad.

— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) January 3, 2026

Another day, another century. Effortless dominance.

Devdutt Padikkal is the kind of batter who could bat blindfolded and still end up completing a ton in the Vijay Hazare Trophy

— Varun Giri (@Varungiri0) January 3, 2026

In the 2019-20 season, Devdutt Padikkal was in scorching form in VHT, averaging almost 70. Some years later, he is still making mountains of runs in that format. pic.twitter.com/AiIFyVZMqq

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) January 3, 2026

Wakeup
Play Vijay Hazare Trophy
Score a Hundred 
Sleep

The Routine of Devdutt Padikkal in domestic cricket.

— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) January 3, 2026

Anil Kumble's View

Speaking on 'TATA IPL Auction Review', JioStar expert Kumble said on Venkatesh, while also expanding on the team's decision to stick with its key spinners, "Venkatesh Iyer will not be in the playing eleven at the start. You do not want to create doubt in a winning team. That is probably why they did not go after a Ravi Bishnoi, so that Suyash Sharma does not feel threatened by a senior India spinner. They have done well to keep the core the same, back their players, and just have a few backups in case something goes wrong."

Sanjay Bangar's Perspective

Also, former Indian all-rounder and JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar said that the all-rounder had "a lot of eyes on him since last season". "He has been consistent, and you can see his confidence. Dinesh Karthik, the batting coach, and Malolan Rangarajan, who scouts talent for RCB, have a good option in him. Will he be in the playing eleven right away? There is some doubt, as this is a settled team. They wanted left-handers and got them. They can adjust Venkatesh in the eleven, like they did with Krunal Pandya last season. Krunal played well, so the lack of a top spinner was not felt. Suyash Sharma had a good season," he added.

The Bidding War for Venkatesh Iyer

Iyer went under the hammer for a base price of Rs 2 crore. Lucknow Super Giants raise the paddle for the first time. Gujarat Titans also join the race after a brief pause. The bidding war began when Iyer's former team, Kolkata Knight Riders, entered the race.RCB and KKR continued to pursue him; however, RCB signed the MP all-rounder.

Iyer's IPL Performance

Iyer has 1,468 runs at an average of 29.12, with a strike rate of over 137, a century and 12 fifties in 56 innings in IPL. Last year, KKR bought him back for Rs 23.75 crores, but he had a poor season, with just 142 runs in seven innings at an average above 20, a strike rate of almost 140, and just one fifty.

RCB's Other Auction Buys

The defending champions further strengthened their squad depth with the signing of left-arm pacer and lower-order batter Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.2 crore, making him the fourth-highest uncapped Indian acquisition of the day. The franchise also added the hard-hitting English wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox.

RCB further invested in youth by securing 18-year-old Satvik Deswal for Rs 30 Lakh, U19 talents Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chauhan at the base price, and New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy, who was signed for Rs 2 crore.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

RCB's 18-year wait ends

RCB scripted history as they ended their agonising 18-year wait to lift their first-ever IPL trophy. Virat Kohli-starring Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium to lift their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title. Chasing 191, Punjab were restricted to 184/7, helped by a clutch bowling performance from Krunal Pandya (2/17 in 4 overs), who was named Player of the Match.

South Africa's maiden WTC title

The Proteas finally shed the "chokers" tag at the home of cricket, Lord's. South Africa achieved a monumental milestone by defeating Australia to win their first-ever ICC World Test Championship (WTC). This victory was particularly significant as it ended a 27-year drought for a major senior men's ICC trophy, their first since the 1998 Champions Trophy (then known as the ICC Knockout). Led by Temba Bavuma, the Proteas entered their first WTC final after a dominant league cycle and proved their mettle by chasing down a challenging fourth-innings target of 282. Apart from Aiden Markram's 136, captain Bavuma provided crucial support with a resilient 66 in the fourth innings, braving injury to steady the chase after early wickets.

Indian women's cricket team crowned world champions

The Indian women's cricket team finally reached the summit as the Women in Blue defeated South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium to clinch their first-ever ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title. After the heartbreaks of 2005 and 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur's side delivered a clinical performance on home soil to script a watershed moment for the sport in India. They defeated South Africa by 52 runs. Shafali Verma (87 off 78 balls) and Deepti Sharma's 5-wicket haul (5/39) ensured India won the cup.

Rohit Sharma reaches peak ODI rankings

At the age of 38, Rohit Sharma achieved a personal milestone that had eluded him throughout his legendary career: the No. 1 ICC ODI Batting Ranking. He climbed to the top spot on October 29, with 781 rating points after a dominant Player-of-the-Series performance against Australia. He went through a massive fitness transformation and scored 202 runs in the AustraliFrom RCB's maiden IPL title to Neeraj Chopra's first 90-m throw: 2025 a curse-breaking year for several sports teams, star players., including a fifty and 121* at Sydney.

India ended 12-year wait for Champions Trophy

India clinched the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final held on March 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This victory was particularly sweet as it ended a 12-year wait for the title, with India's last Champions Trophy win coming in 2013 under MS Dhoni. Led by Rohit Sharma, who played a captain's knock of 76 in the final, the Men in Blue remained undefeated throughout the tournament, overcoming heavyweights like Pakistan and Australia along the way.

Hobart Hurricanes' BBL win

The Hobart Hurricanes finally secured their first Big Bash League title on January 27. In an explosive final against Sydney Thunder, Mitchell Owen smashed a 108 off just 42 balls--tying the record for the competition's fastest century--to chase down 183 with nearly six overs to spare.

Harry Kane's success

After 15 years in professional football without a trophy, England Harry Kane finally found his prize. Harry Kane won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, scoring over 30 goals in the 2024-25 season. He ended the year as the "German Footballing Personality of the Year," having finally shaken the "Kane Curse."

Crystal Palace's 119-year miracle

The biggest shock of the year came at Wembley on May 17. Crystal Palace ended a 119-year wait for a major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final. An early goal by Eberechi Eze and a heroic penalty save by Dean Henderson delivered the club's first-ever major silverware.

Tottenham Spurs end the 17-year hurt

Spurs finally added to their trophy cabinet, winning the UEFA Europa League on May 21. They defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the final in Bilbao, thanks to a first-half strike by Brennan Johnson. This was their first major title since 2008 and their first European trophy since 1984.

PSG's continental crown

After decades of dominance in France, Paris Saint-Germain finally captured the "Holy Grail." They won their first-ever UEFA Champions League title on May 31, with a record-breaking 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final held in Munich.

Inter Miami's MLS milestone

Inter Miami won their first MLS Cup on December 6. Defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1, Lionel Messi was named the match MVP after providing two assists, securing the club's biggest prize just five years after joining the league.

Newcastle United's 70-year drought ends

The "Toon Army" finally had something to celebrate on March 16. Newcastle United defeated Liverpool 2-1 to lift the Carabao Cup, their first major domestic trophy since the 1955 FA Cup. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak ended seven decades of waiting.

Neeraj Chopra breaks the 90-meter barrier

The "Golden Boy" finally silenced the four-year-long chatter about the 90-meter mark. At the Doha Diamond League on May 16, Neeraj Chopra threw a massive 90.23m. Although he finished second in the meet, he set a new Indian national record and became only the 25th man in history to breach the hallowed 90m barrier.

Yash Dayal has been accused of sexual exploitation by a Jaipur-based girl, who happened to be a minor at the time of the incident, reportedly between 2023 and April 2025, including an alleged encounter during the last IPL season. The victim filed the complaint at the Sanganer Sadar police station in Jaipur and alleged that the RCB pacer sexually exploited her on the pretext of building a cricket career. The girl also accused Yash Dayal of emotionally manipulating with cricket-related opportunities and future support.

However, Dayal filed a counter-complaint against the Jaipur-based girl’s allegations against him, dismissing them as false and motivated, and that the complainant misinterpreted her age, met her only in public places, and attempted to extort money from him, an argument that was presented by his legal team during the bail hearing at the Jaipur POCSO Court.

No Relief for Yash Dayal in Rape Case

During the hearing, the prosecution, alongside the counsel for the complaint, opposed the bail plea to Yash Dayal. As per the report by NDTV, Judge Alka Bansal of the Jaipur Metropolitan Court denied an anticipatory bail to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer, stating that the material that has been provided as evidence does not suggest the false implication of Dayal in the case.

The possibility of involvement of Yash Dayal in the rape case prompted the judge of the POCSO court not to grant him any relief at this stage, denying his anticipatory bail application. The case filed by Jaipur-based is currently under investigation, as the police are collecting evidence, including digital communications and hotel stay records, as the legal proceedings continue, while Dayal remains under scrutiny.

This is a major setback for Yash Dayal, who is facing another sexual harassment case filed by a Ghaziabad woman, who accused the pacer of sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage. The FIR of the case was lodged against Dayal in Uttar Pradesh in July this year.

A Jaipur court has rejected Yash Dayal's anticipatory bail application in a POCSO case.

Dayal is accused of rape by a minor girl, a case that has been ongoing for 2.5 years. 

The girl claims he lured her under the pretext of helping her cricket career and exploited her in… pic.twitter.com/6vrM79Xvoj

— Density001 (@Density001) December 24, 2025

With two sexual exploitation cases against RCB pacer Yash Dayal, he faces immense public scrutiny from the cricketing fraternity, putting his career and public image under significant pressure. After the anticipatory bail was denied by the POCSO Court in Jaipur in an alleged rape case of a then-minor girl, Yash Dayal will have to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, while his future in domestic and IPL cricket remains uncertain.

Yash Dayal’s IPL Participation in Jeopardy

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Yash Dayal’s future, especially his participation in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, has been put in jeopardy as the denial of bail in a POCSO case for alleged sexual exploitation of a minor raises serious legal and disciplinary concerns, leaving his availability for the tournament uncertain.

With the IPL 2026 likely to take place in March next year, Dayal remains in doubt as the ongoing investigations and potential legal proceedings could prevent him from joining the tournament until the matter is resolved. The pacer was retained by the RCB for 5 crore ahead of the IPL 2026.

However, the fans and cricket enthusiasts slammed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for retaining a player who has been accused of serious sexual offence, questioning the franchise’s decision, while others urged the BCCI and IPL to take action against Yash Dayal.

So as per reports yash dayal's bail plea has been rejected by the court and If the rumours are true then he should be banned as soon as possible from cricket, Cant support him here!

— Kevin (@imkevin149) December 24, 2025

Yash Dayal's anticipatory bail is cancelled by Jaipur POSCO court after evidence found from the victim's phone is indicating that there doesn't seem to be false accusations. 

Now the onus is on RCB to cancel his contract ASAP. Don't really understand how he was retained in the…

— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) December 24, 2025

Yash Dayal :

> Kicked by his state team
> Kicked by his state league 
> Retained by RCB

These criminals are not hated enough. pic.twitter.com/vlFvM56t0Y

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) November 15, 2025

Yash Dayal is facing two cases of sexual harrasment and one of them is under the POCSO act. 

A Rajasthan court rejected his anticipatory bail application today, but in a few days, he will be representing RCB in the IPL.

As someone who is a Kohli fan, it's sad to see him play… pic.twitter.com/KVRbE1ECFv

— Jawaharlal Nehru (@PMNehru) December 24, 2025

Yash dayal should not have been retained by rcb!!!

— Beyondthe_Wickets (@AdarshSing71093) December 24, 2025

I hope RCB management finally has enough shame to drop Yash Dayal from the squad

— perceived jackson (@safespace1809) December 24, 2025

Shame on RCB for retaining this madrcd criminal Yash dayal pic.twitter.com/9RUrPuZ05r

— Mrs. Villaaawww' (@OkayAchaa) December 24, 2025

This dawg Yash Dayal should be thrown out of my beautiful RCB team. We are not like CSK, who keep criminals(like dhoni) in our team. We are not shameless like CSK. https://t.co/VJw2efzWZ2

— !_ (@bholination) December 24, 2025

What's stopping you to release a Rapist like Yash Dayal @DineshKarthik ? #RCB

— (@thomas__huji) December 24, 2025

In his IPL career, Yash Dayal has picked 41 wickets at an average of 33.90 and an economy rate of 9.57 in 43 matches. Dayal played an instrumental role in helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinch their maiden IPL triumph this year, defeating Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in June.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had initially considered opening two stands to the public, which could've accommodated 2,000-3,000 spectators. However, the government shot down the proposal, citing security concerns and compliance issues. According to ESPNcricinfo, the Karnataka government wants to prevent chaos around the venue during the holiday season, given the stature of the players participating.

Kohli and Rishabh Pant's availability for the first two matches had earlier forced the KSCA to change the venue from Alur to the Chinnaswamy to prevent logistical challenges.

Following a request from KSCA, the Karnataka government constituted a committee comprising police, public works, and fire safety officials and inspected M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday. They're expected to submit a formal report on Tuesday, likely confirming the widely speculated decision to hold matches behind closed doors due to security concerns.

Background: Stadium Deemed Unfit After Stampede

After the stampede during the victory celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) win earlier this year, the stadium was deemed "unfit for large-scale events" by the Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission, which was tasked by the Karnataka government to investigate the incident. The venue has not hosted any top-flight cricket matches since that stampede in June, which killed 11 and injured several players. KSCA's Maharaja Trophy was moved to Mysore in August.

Star Players to Feature for Delhi

Star cricketers Kohli, Pant, Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini will be part of the Delhi Senior Men's team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the 2025-26 domestic season, with all four confirming their availability for the tournament. Pant has been appointed captain of the Delhi side, marking his return to a leadership role in domestic cricket. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Uncapped Indian players triggered bidding wars, with 20-year-old spinner Prashant Veer and 19-year-old keeper-batter Kartik Sharma going to Chennai Super Kings for Rs 14.20 crore each, making them the highest-paid uncapped players ever. Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar fetched Rs 8.40 crore from Delhi Capitals.

Big names saw mixed fortunes as Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan were picked late for Rs 75 lakh each, while stars like Liam Livingstone, Josh Inglis, David Miller and Quinton de Kock found new homes. Several notable players, including Devon Conway and Spencer Johnson, went unsold in a dramatic auction.

Iyer's Performance Record

Iyer has 1,468 runs at an average of 29.12, with a strike rate of over 137, a century and 12 fifties in 56 innings in IPL. Last year, KKR bought him back for Rs 23.75 crores, but he had a poor season, with just 142 runs in seven innings at an average above 20, a strike rate of almost 140, and just one fifty. In T20S, he has scored 3,179 runs in 144 matches at an average of 34.18, SR of 138.63, including a century and 18 fifties and has taken 55 wickets at an average of above 25. In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 season, he has scored 211 runs at an average of 26.37, with an SR of over 119 and two fifties in 11 matches.

Hasaranga Reunites with Tom Moody at LSG

Wanindu Hasaranga reunites with Tom Moody at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), as the franchise signed him for his base price of Rs 2 crores. Hasaranga worked closely with Moody at Desert Vipers in the ILT20.

Hasaranga's T20 Prowess

In IPL, Hasaranga has grabbed 46 wickets in 37 for RCB and Rajasthan Royals (RR), at an average of above 24 with two four-fers and a fifer. Hasaranga, a global T20 giant, has 2,463 runs in 238 matches at an average of 17.10 and SR of 142.53, with nine fifties and 332 wickets at an average of 17.46 and best figures of 6/9 to his name. For Sri Lanka (SL), he has scored 773 runs in 90 T20Is at a strike rate over 126, with two fifties, and taken 146 wickets at an average over 15.

Star All-Rounders Go Unsold

New Zealand's star all-rounder, Rachin Ravindra, went unsold. He was on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) books last year. However, his poor stint in the previous IPL led CSK to release him ahead of the auction.

England's star all-rounder Liam Livingstone also went unsold. Having a decent IPL career, Livingstone has 1,051 runs at an average of 26.27, with seven fifties and 13 wickets in 49 matches for RR, PBKS and RCB. He was also a part of RCB's title-winning season last year, though underwhelmed with 112 runs in eight matches with a fifty and two wickets. England's Gus Atkinson, South Africa's Wiaan Mulder, and Indian all-rounder Deepak Hooda, along with Ravindra and Livingstone, went unsold. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The 41-year-old was acquired by Delhi Capitals for INR 2 crore in the last IPL Auction after he was released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, Faf du Plessis’s acquisition by the Delhi-based IPL franchise did not pay off as the veteran South African batter amassed just 202 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 22.44 and a strike rate of 123.93 in nine matches. The right-handed batter’s modest outing in the last IPL season prompted the Capitals to release him ahead of the auction.

Faf du Plessis was released alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk, Donovan Ferreira, Sediqullah Atal, Manvanth Kumar, Mohit Sharma, and Darshan Nalkande by the Delhi Capitals.

‘League Has Been a Massive Part of My Journey’

Faf du Plessis sprang a surprise among Indian cricket fans by announcing his decision to opt out of the upcoming IPL 2026 Auction. The veteran batter released an official statement on social media to confirm his decision. In a heartfelt note, du Plessis wrote that his 14-season run in the IPL had been “a massive part of my journey and highlighted how India shaped him as a cricketer and as a person.

The former RCB captain expressed his gratitude to the coaches, support staff, and team members of the franchises he played for over the years, while assuring the Indian fans that he ‘isn’t goodbye’.

“After 14 seasons in the IPL, I've decided not to put my name into the auction this year. It's a big decision, and one that comes with a lot of gratitude when I look back. This league has been a massive part of my journey. I've been lucky to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of fans whose passion is like nothing else. India has given me friendships, lessons, and memories that have shaped me as a cricketer and as a person,” Faf du Plessis said in an official statement.

“To every coach, teammate, support staff member, and every fan who has backed me over the years — thank you. Your support has meant the world. Fourteen years is a long time, and I'm proud of what this chapter has meant to me. India has a special place in my heart, and this certainly isn't goodbye — you'll see me again,” he added.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by F A F D U P L E S S I S (@fafdup)

Faf du Plessis began his IPL journey in 2011, representing Chennai Super Kings, and he went on to play for Rising Pune Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals. The former South Africa captain returned to CSK after the ban on the franchise was lifted in 2018. He later became a key figure for RCB, leading the side as captain before moving to Delhi Capitals for the last IPL season.

Why did Faf du Plessis Opt Out of the IPL Auction?

In his official statement, Faf du Plessis explained the decision behind his withdrawal from the IPL auction, stating that he would like to take on a ‘new challenge’ in the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League.

“This year, I've chosen to take on a new challenge and will be playing in the upcoming PSL season. It's an exciting step for me — a chance to experience something new, to grow as a player, and to embrace a league filled with incredible talent and energy,” du Plessis said.

“A new country. A new environment. A new challenge. I'm looking forward to the Pakistan hospitality. See you all soon,” he added.

In his T20 career, Faf du Plessis featured in the Indian Premier League, Major Cricket League, SA20 League, Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Men’s 100, and Bangladesh Premier League. Du Plessis' last PSL season was in the 2020/21 season, wherein he played for Quetta Gladiators before being ruled out after suffering a concussion.

Will Faf du Plessis Return to IPL?

Faf du Plessis’s decision to withdraw from the IPL 2026 Auction as well as the upcoming season of the tournament has sparked speculation about his future, as the veteran South African batter has not announced his retirement from the league, leaving the door open for a potential comeback if an opportunity or role aligns with his plans in the coming years.

However, given his age and the changing dynamics of the franchises’ squad-building strategies, a return may depend on his teams’ requirements, for experienced overseas batters, his form in other leagues, and whether franchises see any value in having him back in the future, either as a player or in any other capacity. When the next IPL season comes, Faf du Plessis will be 42, which naturally raises questions about whether the franchises invest in ageing overseas batters, especially when younger, more dynamic T20 options continue to emerge worldwide.

Since the next IPL Auction will take place in 2026, his chances of a comeback will likely depend on his performance in other global leagues, including PSL, and whether any franchise feels the need for an experienced finisher-mentor who can add value in a short-term role. However, there is an unlikely chance of having Faf du Plessis back in the IPL as the franchises increasingly prioritise younger, high-impact overseas talent, making it difficult for the veteran South African batter to fit into long-term plans.

Faf du Plessis has been one of the prolific overseas batters in the history of IPL, amassing 4773 runs, including 39 fifties, at an average of 35.09 in 154 matches.

Discussion underway

Discussions between the franchise and the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) are already underway. MCA secretary Kamlesh Pisal confirmed talks with RCB, clarifying that the deal is yet to be finalized.

“This arrangement is in discussion but it’s not confirmed yet,” Pisal told TOI. “They have a problem in Karnataka, because of the stampede that happened. So, they are looking out for a venue and we have offered them our stadium. There are preliminary discussions and there are a couple of technical things which need to be sorted out. If things fall in place then, probably yes, Pune will host the matches,” he said.

Should the proposal be approved, RCB will make the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje their temporary home ground for IPL 2026. The decision is expected once logistical and regulatory clearances are completed in coordination with the BCCI.

In June this year, Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18-year wait to clinch the maiden IPL title when they defeated three-time finalists Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, their celebrations were short-lived following a tragic stampede outside the RCB’s home venue, M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, that claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured.

Months after a historic maiden IPL triumph and Bengaluru stampede tragedy, RCB owners, United Spirits Ltd (USL), filed a disclosure with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), stating that the strategic review of its investment in the franchise through its wholly-owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd. (RCSPL). The company further stated that the team has become a ‘non‑core’ asset to its portfolio and set the sale process in motion.

RCB Eyes 2 Billion Sale of the Franchise

The current owners of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are considering the sale of the franchise for a whopping $2 billion (approximately INR 17,500 crore). According to the report by Bloomberg News, the owners, United Spirits Ltd (USL), were looking at the possibilities of selling a part of the franchise by seeking a valuation of $2 billion.

Given the success of the franchise over the years, not only on the field but also off the field in terms of brand value, merchandise sales, and fan following, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is expected to attract high-profile investors to take over the team, making it one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world.

Diageo confirms RCB up for sale, process underway.

The company disclosed that the sale process is already underway and expressed confidence in completing the transaction by March 31, 2026.

In a communication to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Wednesday, November 5, Diageo… pic.twitter.com/rwX8eY4B0I

— AkCricTalks (@AKCricTalks) November 5, 2025

The parties interested in buying the RCB franchise have not been officially announced yet, but the reports suggested Adani Group, Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute of India, the JSW Group (owned by the Jindal family), Ravi Jaipuria of Devyani International Group, and a US–based private investment firm have shown their interest in acquiring the most followed franchise in the IPL.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru not only have a men’s team but also a women’s team, which competes in the Women’s Premier League. RCB is the second team after the Mumbai Indians to win the IPL and WPL titles, marking a historic achievement for the franchise across both men’s and women’s cricket.

Speculations of the Rebranding of RCB

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru is expected to find a new owner by the end of March next year, there have been speculations that the franchise might undergo rebranding, including a new name, logo, and team identity in the IPL 2026. The change of ownership will likely take a few days after the next season of the IPL begins, fuelling speculation about a new possible name and identity in the IPL 2026.

Royal Challenge is a whisky brand owned by United Spirits Ltd (USL). Its previous owner was Vijay Mallya, who owned the franchise before it was acquired and integrated into Diageo’s Indian operations. It has been speculated that the potential new owner of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will unlikely to retain the existing brand name and may opt for a complete overhaul, including a new team name, logo, and overall identity in the IPL 2026.

Bad news for RCB fans:

- There are very high chances that you won't be able to use name of Royal Challengers Bangaluru from 2026 IPL as RCB is all set to be sold.

- Royal Challenge is a whisky brand name owned by Diageo PLC. So, no way a new owner gonna promote someone… pic.twitter.com/IPvj6P6Gtb

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) November 6, 2025

So, just like Deccan Chargers’ trophy doesn’t count for SRH because the ownership and name changed. The same way, RCB’s trophy won’t count for the new Bengaluru based franchise? They waited 18 years to win a title, and their team got scrapped, back to cheering for a trophyless…

— Kusha Sharma  (@Kushacritic) November 6, 2025

For close to two decades, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, formerly known as Royal Challengers Bangalore, has been one of the most successful, popular, and valuable franchises in the history of IPL, boasting a massive fanbase, players, and a strong presence in both men’s and women’s cricket.

Following RCB's maiden IPL triumph this year, the franchise's brand rose to $269 million (approximately INR 2,380 crore), making it the most valuable franchise, after Mumbai Indians ($242 million) and Chennai Super Kings ($235 million).

Will RCB be Renamed after the Change of Ownership?

Speculations surrounding the rebranding of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are already rife, moments after the current owners decided to put the franchise up for sale.

The potential owner is neither part of the whisky brand, Royal Challenge, nor affiliated with United Spirits Ltd (USL). However, the rebranding of the franchise is highly unlikely, as the new owner will also acquire the trademark rights to “Royal Challengers Bengaluru,” allowing them to retain the iconic name, logo, and brand identity if they choose to do so. According to QuickCompany, ‘RCB’ is a registered trademark under the name Royal Challengers Bengaluru, held by Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd., in India.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Tanay Tiwari (@tiwaritanay)

Since RCB is reportedly seeking a valuation of a whopping $2 billion, the new owner is expected to retain the current name of the team and brand identity to preserve its existing fanbase, brand value, and commercial appeal, rather than risk starting from scratch with a new identity. However, it could be possible that the new owner might keep the initials ‘RCB’ while replacing ‘Royal Challengers’ with a new name in the future.

When Rajasthan Royals changed their ownership, the new management retained the team’s original name and brand identity to preserve its fanbase and commercial value. Similarly, the new owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru may choose to retain the team's name, logo, and the overall brand identity as the trademark rights will also be transferred to them, giving them full control over the established brand while maintaining the continuity for fans and sponsors. 

Following Diageo's announcement on Wednesday about beginning the IPL sale process, public attention was initially drawn when Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla posted on social media October 1st, commenting that RCB, featuring star player Virat Kohli, represented an attractive opportunity at appropriate pricing. The Poonawalla family's holdings exceed $20 billion according to Forbes estimates. 

RCB's Value Estimated to Rise

Potential bidding group might include Kamath, Pai, and potentially Poonawalla. Neither Pai nor representatives for Kamath have responded to the reports. Forbes estimates place Pai's wealth at $2.8 billion and Kamath's at $2.5 billion. The IPL's soaring valuation has attracted substantial investment interest as the league has become one of global sports' most lucrative properties. Forbes assessed RCB's worth at slightly over $1 billion in 2022. Their maiden IPL title is expected to increase the club's value. Investment firm Houlihan Lokey's detailed IPL analysis calculated the league's business value at $18.5 billion with brand value of $3.9 billion for 2025.

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru is expected to find a new owner by the end of March next year, there have been speculations that the franchise might undergo rebranding, including a new name, logo, and team identity in the IPL 2026. The change of ownership will likely take a few days after the next season of the IPL begins, fuelling speculation about a new possible name and identity in the IPL 2026.

Royal Challenge is a whisky brand owned by United Spirits Ltd (USL). Its previous owner was Vijay Mallya, who owned the franchise before it was acquired and integrated into Diageo’s Indian operations. It has been speculated that the potential new owner of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will unlikely to retain the existing brand name and may opt for a complete overhaul, including a new team name, logo, and overall identity in the IPL 2026.

In a disclosure to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Wednesday, Diageo confirmed that a “Strategic Review” of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL) — the entity that operates RCB — is underway. The process, the company said, is expected to conclude by March 31, 2026.

Inside the Corporate Communication

The formal statement was made by United Spirits Ltd (USL), Diageo’s Indian subsidiary, and the holding company of RCSPL. According to the disclosure,

“USL is initiating a strategic review of the investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, RCSPL. RCSPL's business comprises ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise team that participates in the men’s Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL) cricket tournaments hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annually.”

NEW OWNER FOR RCB

RCB is set to be sold, new owner likely to come before March 31st. [Sahil Malhotra from TOI] pic.twitter.com/J7oR5eu2rg

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 5, 2025

The announcement was filed under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR). While the document was heavily technical, its message was clear — Diageo is preparing to step away from the cricket business it once saw as a glamorous brand extension.

“A Valuable but Non-Core Asset”

Confirming the decision, Praveen Someswar, Managing Director and CEO of USL, said:

“RCSPL has been a valuable and strategic asset for USL. However, it is non-core to our alcoholic beverage business. This step reinforces USL's and Diageo’s commitment to continue reviewing its India enterprise portfolio to enable sustained delivery of long-term value to all its stakeholders, while keeping RCSPL's best interest in mind.”

In simpler terms, Diageo is trimming what doesn’t align with its core focus — alcohol and beverages. The message also hints that while RCB has delivered brand value, it doesn’t directly contribute to the company’s bottom line.

What the Timeline Suggests

Perhaps the most telling detail in the disclosure is the completion date — March 31, 2026. For those familiar with corporate acquisitions, such a specific deadline signals that a deal may already be in advanced stages. Reports suggest that Diageo could be finalising negotiations with potential buyers before the end of the financial year.

It's worth note that the language of the statement — “strategic review of investment” — gives Diageo room to explore both partial and complete divestment of its stake in RCB.

Who Could Take Over RCB?

According to earlier reports, multiple high-profile entities have shown interest in acquiring the franchise. Among those believed to be in the running are:

• A US-based private investment company
• The Adani Group
• The JSW Group (owned by the Jindal family)
• Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute of India
• Ravi Jaipuria of Devyani International Group

While none of these names have been confirmed, all of them have both the financial muscle and the brand ambition to steer RCB into its next chapter.

A Sale Shadowed by Tragedy

The talk of RCB’s sale isn’t new — murmurs began intensifying after the June 4 stampede tragedy outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, where 11 fans lost their lives and several others were injured. The incident drew widespread criticism over the management of the event, further unsettling shareholders already questioning Diageo’s involvement in what they viewed as a non-core venture.

Since then, reports suggested that Diageo had quietly engaged a merchant bank to oversee the potential sale — a move that now appears to have reached its final stages.

What Lies Ahead

For RCB fans, this development may bring mixed emotions. While the ownership change marks the end of an era, it also opens the door for a new phase — one that could bring fresh investment, strategic direction, and possibly, long-awaited on-field success.

For Diageo, the sale marks a practical decision — a step back from the glamour of cricket to refocus on its core business priorities. But for Indian cricket, it marks another moment of transition, as one of its most iconic franchises prepares to change hands.

At the right valuation, @RCBTweets is a great team…

— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) October 1, 2025

Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, RCB lifted its maiden title by trouncing Punjab Kings in the final of the 18th edition of the cash-rich league. However, on June 4, 11 people died and over 50 were injured in a stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy stadium.

A massive crowd of nearly 300,000 people had gathered to witness the victory celebration of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, celebrating their maiden IPL trophy win. Following the tragic incident, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) held RCB responsible, and speculations about the franchise's sale remained a possibility. 

What Lalit Modi Said

Poonawalla's remark comes after IPL's first-ever commissioner, Lalit Modi, added fuel to the fire on Tuesday, stating that there could be no better investment at the moment than purchasing RCB. Lalit firmly believes that significant global funds or a sovereign fund would desperately want to have them as part of their investment strategy and India strategy. 

"There have been a lot of rumours about the sale of an @IPL franchise, specifically @RCBTweets - well, in the past they have been denied. But it seems the owners have finally decided to take it off their balance sheet and sell it. I am sure having won the IPL last season and also with its strong base of fans and off course the Team itself and a great management team - it could be the only Team which would be available as a whole as an #ipl franchise," Lalit wrote on X. 

"I am sure one of the Big Global funds or a Sovereign Fund would desperately like to have them as part of their investment strategy and India strategy. There can be no better investment opportunity I could think of then this one. Good luck to whoever can get their hands on to it. It definitely will set a new record valuation which will just go to show that IPL is the not only the fastest growing Global Sporting league but also the most valuable. That new price that #rcb sets will become the new floor price for all teams. Good to luck to all. I am sure #citibank will do a great job auctioning the team to prospective buyers," he concluded.

The most recent ownership shift in the IPL witnessed the Torrent Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in the Healthcare and Energy sectors, acquire a 67 per cent majority stake in Gujarat Titans. As part of the deal, Irelia retained a substantial minority stake of 33 per cent in the franchise.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

"My heartfelt condolences go out to all of the families who lost loved ones on 4th June. I can't begin to imagine what you must have gone through. I pray and hope that God gives you the strength to come through this, and I ask all of our fans to join us in showing care and togetherness through this difficult time," Karthik said in a post shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Instagram. 

RCB Extends Support to Victims' Kin

In the aftermath of the tragedy, RCB last month announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The franchise, along with fans and members of the cricketing fraternity, expressed grief and solidarity.

In a post on its official Instagram handle, the franchise expressed grief over the loss and assured continuous support to the bereaved families under their new initiative, "RCB CARES."Our hearts broke on June 4, 2025. We lost eleven members of the RCB family. 

"They were part of us. Part of what makes our city, our community & our team unique. Their absence will echo in the memories of each one of us," the statement read. RCB further stated that the Rs 25 lakh aid is not just financial support, but also a "promise of compassion, unity, and ongoing care" for the affected families. 

RCB outlined the framework of RCB Cares on Monday, its long-term commitment to fans. The programme focuses on supporting, empowering, and elevating the 12th Man Army through meaningful actions. Over the coming months, after obtaining necessary permissions, RCB Cares will extend its support beyond financial aid to provide fast, transparent, and compassionate assistance to fans and families impacted.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The stampede, which occurred as an estimated crowd of nearly 3 lakh people gathered to witness RCB's maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy celebrations, claimed 11 lives and left over 50 others injured.

Virat Kohli's statement

"Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th. What should've been the happiest moment in our franchise's history... turned into something tragic. I've been thinking of and praying for the families of those we lost and for our fans who were injured. Your loss is part of our story now. Together, we will move forward with care, respect and responsibility," Kohli said in a post shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on social media platform X.

“Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th. What should’ve been the happiest moment in our franchise’s history… turned into something tragic. I’ve been thinking of and praying for the families of those we lost… and for our fans who were injured. Your… pic.twitter.com/nsJrKDdKWB

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) September 3, 2025

 
In the aftermath of the tragedy, RCB last month announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The franchise, along with fans and members of the cricketing fraternity, expressed grief and solidarity.

RCB launches ‘RCB Cares’ to support bereaved families

In a post on its official Instagram handle, the franchise expressed grief over the loss and assured continuous support to the bereaved families under their new initiative, “RCB CARES.”

"Our hearts broke on June 4, 2025. We lost eleven members of the RCB family. They were part of us. Part of what makes our city, our community & our team unique. Their absence will echo in the memories of each one of us," the statement read.

: -

RCB Cares is our long-term commitment to support, empower and elevate our 12th Man Army, through meaningful action.

▪ Provide support that goes beyond financial aid
▪ Build safe… pic.twitter.com/ceNbzPk0dz

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) September 1, 2025

RCB further stated that the Rs 25 lakh aid is not just financial support, but also a "promise of compassion, unity, and ongoing care" for the affected families. RCB outlined the framework of RCB Cares on Monday, its long-term commitment to fans. The programme focuses on supporting, empowering, and elevating the 12th Man Army through meaningful actions.

Over the coming months, after obtaining necessary permissions, RCB Cares will extend its support beyond financial aid to provide fast, transparent, and compassionate assistance to fans and families impacted.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

What followed was a massive carnage as Maleshwar had a double century partnership with skipper Rajat Patidar (125 in 96 balls, with 21 fours and three sixes), with the captain reaching the milestone in just 80 balls, playing his first competitive match after leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title.

Malewar retired out for 203 in 222 balls, with 36 fours and a six, letting Yash Rathod (87* in 108 balls, with 11 fours) and Shubham Sharma (34 in 76 balls, with two fours), get some game time and take the team to a massive 532/4 declared. 

In reply, NEZ was skittled out for 185 runs in just 69.3 overs, with Karnajit Yumnam (48 in 77 balls, with eight fours and a six) and Ankur Malik (42 in 55 balls, with five fours and two sixes) being the top scorers for their side. 

Aditya Thakare (3/23) led the bowling charts for Central Zone, while Khaleel Ahmed and Harsh Dubey also scooped a couple wickets each. Deepak Chahar also got a wicket. 

With a healthy 347-run lead in their hands, Central Zone got to bat again. Shubham Sharma (122 in 215 balls, with 17 fours) got a promotion up the order to number three, and he made the most of it. Skipper Patidar (66 in 72 balls, with six fours and three sixes) and Yash Rathod (78 in 83 balls, with 11 fours) also got cracking half-centuries. Central Zone ended with 331/7 declared, giving their opponents 679 runs to a win, a mountain-like target. 

Jehu Anderson (64 in 96 balls, with 11 fours and a six) and skipper Rongsen Jonathan (60 in 97 balls, with nine fours) showed up for NEZ with half-centuries, but at 200/6, both teams shook hands for a draw. 

Dubey, Thakre and Shubham got two wickets each. 

Now Central Zone will take on West Zone in the semifinal from September 4 onwards.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

"Our hearts broke on June 4, 2025. We lost eleven members of the RCB family. They were part of us. Part of what makes our city, our community & our team unique. Their absence will echo in the memories of each one of us," the statement read.

RCB further stated that the Rs 25 lakh aid is not just financial support, but also a "promise of compassion, unity, and ongoing care" for the affected families.

"No amount of support can ever fill the space they've left behind. But as a first step, and with the deepest respect, RCB has extended 25 lakh each to their families. Not just as financial aid, but as a promise of compassion, unity, and ongoing care. This is also the beginning of RCB CARES: a long-term commitment for meaningful action that begins by honouring their memory. Every step forward will reflect what the fans feel, expect, and deserve," the franchise added.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@royalchallengers.bengaluru)

 
The franchise mentioned that more details about "RCB CARES" will be shared soon.

On June 4, 11 people died and over 50 were injured in a stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy stadium as a massive crowd of nearly 3 lakh people had gathered to witness the victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, celebrating their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy win.

Dear 12th Man Army, this is our heartfelt letter to you! 

’ .

The Silence wasn’t Absence. It was Grief.

This space was once filled with energy, memories and moments that you… pic.twitter.com/g0lOXAuYbd

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) August 28, 2025

 
Last month, the CAT pulled up RCB for "unilaterally" putting up information on celebrations without "obtaining the permission" or without the "consent" of the police."The CAT order stated that neither the franchise nor its event management firm, S DNA Entertainment Network Private Limited, sought any permissions to conduct the title celebration parade at the stadium. The order came out in defence of cops, saying that they are "human beings", "neither God (Bhagwan) nor Magician and did not have the magical powers like "Alladin ka Chirag" capable of fulfilling a wish only by rubbing a finger." The Karnataka government has revoked the suspension of four police officers who were suspended following the M Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede.

In an order dated July 28, the Karnataka government reinstated four top officers, including two IPS officers and two Karnataka State Police Service officers, to duty, pending disciplinary proceedings against all four. The state government revoked the suspension of Additional Director General of Police B Dayananda, IPS Shekar H Tekkannavar, Deputy Superintendent of Police C Balakrishna, and Police Inspector AK Girish. Additionally, the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru has been deemed "unsuitable and unsafe" for large-scale events, according to the findings of Justice John Michael Cunha Commission that was appointed by the Karnataka government to investigate the July 4 stampede. 

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had zeroed in on the Kanteerava to stage India’s must-win home clash on October 14. But the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) refused clearance following an inspection, forcing the AIFF to scramble for alternatives reportedly in Goa and Shillong.

Aslam Khan: ‘We hosted SAFF Cup'

Speaking exclusively to Asianet Suvarna News, Karnataka State Football Federation Deputy Secretary and former international footballer Aslam Khan said, “The Kanteerava Stadium, which serves as a multi-purpose venue, is currently maintained by the state government along with BFC. However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers cannot be hosted here due to prior commitments and scheduling conflicts at the stadium."

“We have successfully hosted the SAFF Cup tournament in the past,” Khan added.

His remarks capture the frustration of local organisers who argue that the stadium has handled big tournaments before, but still finds itself excluded from India’s biggest football assignment of the year.

Scheduling issues or poor pitch?

Behind the scenes, though, another picture is emerging. A senior AIFF official revealed that the AFC’s match commissioner had flagged “several concerns” with the venue.

“The pitch is not in good condition, and a lot of other factors are also not favourable to host an international match,” the official was quoted as saying in a TOI report. The report also pointed out that with Bengaluru FC pausing operations, the club no longer manages the ground’s upkeep for high-level matches, leaving the facility “found wanting”.

That puts Aslam Khan’s explanation of “scheduling conflicts” in contrast with the AFC’s emphasis on playing conditions. The truth, it appears, lies somewhere between overbooked calendars and underprepared turf.

The timing couldn’t be worse

For Indian football, the timing of the snub is particularly painful. The Blue Tigers, bottom of their qualifying group with just one point from two matches, face group leaders Singapore in what could be a do-or-die clash. Khalid Jamil, newly appointed as head coach, begins his tenure with an away tie on October 9 before the return leg on October 14 — a fixture now displaced from Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, the optics are damaging for Karnataka. Within a span of weeks, both its marquee stadiums — Chinnaswamy for cricket and Kanteerava for football — have been deemed unsuitable for international action.

A larger problem of infrastructure?

The ICC’s decision to move matches to Navi Mumbai was triggered by KSCA’s inability to secure approvals after the chaos of the IPL victory stampede earlier this year. For Kanteerava, it is poor maintenance or scheduling clutter.

For fans, the disappointment is personal. Bengaluru has prided itself as the hub of India’s sporting culture, home to iconic nights — from Sunil Chhetri’s magic moments to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s electrifying IPL triumphs. Now, with two stadiums losing out, questions are mounting over whether the city’s infrastructure is slipping behind its reputation.

The Day Celebration Turned Into Mourning

Back in June, the city was on the edge of euphoria. Royal Challengers Bengaluru had finally broken their curse and lifted the IPL trophy after 18 years. The streets around Chinnaswamy swelled with people who wanted to be part of history. They carried flags, sang songs, and pressed against the gates for a glimpse of their heroes. But celebration turned into chaos. The crowd grew too thick, barriers collapsed, and panic swept through the gathering. By the end of the night, eleven fans were dead—some still in their teens—and dozens were injured. What should have been remembered as Bengaluru’s happiest cricketing day will now forever be marked as one of its darkest.

ICC’s Diplomatic Silence, But Local Embarrassment

The aftershocks have lingered. Investigations followed, and a judicial panel declared the stadium unsafe for large gatherings. The police, too, refused to allow major fixtures to return there. And now, the International Cricket Council has confirmed what many had feared: Bengaluru will not feature in the Women’s World Cup. Officially, the ICC spoke of “unforeseen circumstances.” Unofficially, the world knows this is a story of a city failing its own fans.

Navi Mumbai Steps In, Bengaluru Steps Out

Instead of Chinnaswamy, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will step in, hosting a semi-final and potentially the final. Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam and Colombo will join it as hosts. The opening game between India and Sri Lanka, once slated for Bengaluru, will now be played in Assam. For Bengaluru, it is not just about losing matches. It is about losing trust, losing face, and losing the chance to be part of cricket’s global showcase.

The cruelest irony is that this World Cup could have been Bengaluru’s redemption. It could have been the moment the city showed it had learned from its mistakes, that it could keep passion safe, that cricket could heal the wounds of June. Instead, the stadium stands abandoned in the conversation, its empty stands echoing with memories of the night joy turned to mourning.

Elsewhere, the tournament will be remembered for new heroes, new rivalries, and new champions. In Bengaluru, it will be remembered for what might have been—a reminder that in cricket, as in life, glory can disappear in an instant, and once pride is lost on the world stage, it takes years to rebuild.

Bengaluru’s Setback Opens Door for Kerala 

The Women’s World Cup, scheduled from September 30 to November 2, was set to begin with a glittering opener between India and Sri Lanka at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Bengaluru was also slated to host England vs South Africa (October 3), India vs Bangladesh (October 26), the second semifinal (October 30), and the final (November 2).

However, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) missed the August 10 deadline to secure police approvals, despite reminders from the BCCI. Local police confirmed the process was still incomplete as of Tuesday, leaving the fate of these matches hanging.

The KSCA has reportedly proposed holding the matches behind closed doors to address security concerns — an idea that remains under discussion. The stadium’s troubles follow a damning safety review by the one-man D’Cunha Commission after a June 4 stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 victory celebrations, which left 11 dead and many injured.

Kerala Steps Up to the Plate 

As Bengaluru grapples with its crisis, Kerala has reportedly signalled readiness. As per a Times of India report, ICC chairman Jay Shah recently met KCA president K Jayesh in Mumbai, and is said to have posed a direct question: “Are you ready to take over as the host?”

“We assured him that Thiruvananthapuram is ready to host the Women’s World Cup matches. We have the necessary infrastructure in place,” Jayesh was quoted as saying in the TOI report.

While the ICC’s final confirmation is still awaited, Jayesh remains optimistic. “It’s not yet confirmed how many matches we will host. We are waiting for the ICC’s nod and several logistical challenges still need to be addressed,” he told the publication.

Race Against Time for Greenfield Stadium 

Hosting a global tournament is no small task — and the clock is ticking. As per ICC rules, the venue must be handed over 30 days before the tournament begins, with no other matches held during that period.

Currently, the Greenfield Stadium is set to host Kerala Cricket League (KCL) matches from August 21 to September 7. But the KCA is prepared to make way for the World Cup. “We have backup venues, if the World Cup matches are shifted here. But as of now we are waiting for a final confirmation,” sources told PTI.

A Possible Cricketing Coup for Thiruvananthapuram 

For Kerala fans, the development is more than just a logistical reshuffle — it’s a rare chance to witness top-tier women’s cricket on home soil. If the shift happens, Thiruvananthapuram could play host to the sport’s biggest names and, potentially, the World Cup final.

What began as a setback for Bengaluru may yet turn into a sporting windfall for Thiruvananthapuram — a reminder that in cricket, as in life, one city’s loss can be another’s historic gain.

Kohli has been part of the RCB since the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008, and his loyalty was rewarded when he clinched his maiden title in the IPL 2025. Kohli served as captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (then Bangalore) from 2013 to 2021, when he decided to step down in order to manage his workload.

Kohli might have been the best batter for RCB over the last decade and a half, but he was not successful, despite leading the side to the IPL 2016 Final, when they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 143 matches as RCB captain, Kohli won 66 and lost 70, with a success percentage of 46.15, with seven no results, reflecting a mixed legacy as a leader despite his consistent brilliance with the bat.

Kohli was on the verge of getting sacked as captain in IPL 2019

Given the team's inconsistent performances and lack of trophies under his leadership, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru had talks to remove Virat Kohli from his captaincy duties in 2019, as revealed by Moeen Ali.

Moeen, who played for RCB from 2018 to 2021, further added that Parthiv Patel was considered for the role, but it did not materialise.

“Yes, I think he was. I'm quite sure he was. In the final year, when Gary Kirsten was there-after the first year, I believe Parthiv was in line to become captain,” Moeen Ali told Sports Tak.

“He had a brilliant cricketing brain. That was the talk at the time. I don't know what happened or why it didn't materialise, but I'm sure he was seriously considered for the role," he added.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli)

Virat Kohli continued as RCB captain till 2021 before stepping down from the leadership role at the end of the season, when the team was knocked out of the tournament after losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator.

Kohli was succeeded as a captain by Faf du Plessis, who was brought in by the RCB in 2022, and led the team to two playoffs in three seasons.

Virat Kohli’s journey with IPL

Virat Kohli was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 12 lakh from the draft pick of U-19 players at the IPL 2008 Auction. Kohli was the captain when India clinched the U19 World Cup in the same year when the auction took place.

After being picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli was not able to make an impact as he aggregated just 718 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 21.75 in 45 matches from 2008 to 2010. However, Kohli’s breakthrough IPL season came in 2011 when he emerged as the highest run-getter for Royal Challengers Bangalore, amassing 557 runs, including 4 fifties, at an average of 46.41 and a strike rate of 121.08 in 16 matches.

Kohli’s most successful season came in 2016, which was a record-breaking for the star batter, amassing 973 runs, including 4 fifties and 7 centuries, at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03 in 16 matches.

In the RCB’s title-winning campaign, Virat Kohli amassed 657 runs, including eight fifties, at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71 in 15 matches.

In his IPL career, Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer of the tournament, with 8661 runs, including 8 centuries and 63 fifties, at an average of 39.54 in 267 matches.

Justice John Michael Cunha Commission, which has been tasked by the Karnataka Government to investigate the Bengaluru Stampede that claimed the lives of 11 people and 50 were injured during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebrations, has submitted a report stating that M Chinnaswamy Stadium is not equipped to host big events.

This marks a major development for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru as the franchise is now facing legal action and departmental inquiries, alongside the Karnataka Cricket Association, event management firm, DNA Entertainment, and Bengaluru police officials, over gross negligence and lack of crowd measures in place that led to massive overcrowding outside the stadium.

Chinnaswamy unlikely to host the Women’s World Cup

M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the home ground for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has been selected as one of the four venues in India to host the upcoming Women’s World Cup, which is scheduled to take place on September 30.

However, the report by Justice John Michael Cunha Commission has cast serious doubt over the venue’s readiness and safety compliance. As per the report by ESPN Cricinfo, the commission formed by the Karnataka Government stated that the structure of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium’s design and structure are ‘unsuitable and unsafe’ for mass gatherings.

The Commission further warned of holding large-scale events as the iconic venue has the risk of posing ‘unacceptable risks to public safety, urban mobility, and emergency preparedness'.

With the latest report on M Chinnaswamy Stadium’s structural and logistical shortcomings, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might be forced to reconsider Bengaluru as one of the host venues for the upcoming prestigious Women’s World Cup, potentially shifting fixtures to another city or venue to avoid further public safety risks and legal complications.

Recommended to host large-scale events outside Chinnaswamy

The report submitted by Justice John Michael Cunha Commission cited ‘systematic complications’ and asked to avoid hosting large-scale events at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, given that the structural design is not safe to conduct crowd-heavy events without risking public safety and logistical breakdowns.

The report further suggested that the large-scale events be hosted by or shifted to a venue that ‘better suited’ to handle a ‘significant crowd’. The report by the Karnataka Government-formed Commission also stated that the future venue that hosts major or large-scale events ‘should meet international standards’.

NO IPL GAMES AT CHINNASWAMY IN 2026

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been declared unfit for hosting big events or high-octane cricket matches in the aftermath of the deadly stampede that took place outside the venue back on June 4. pic.twitter.com/UK5spV6Yr6

— RCBXTRA (@RCBXTRAOFFICIAL) July 25, 2025

The latest report by the Commission, which investigated the Bengaluru Stampede, leaves the future events at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in a vulnerable situation as they are set to host major events in the next few months. The Women’s World Cup opening match between hosts India and Sri Lanka, the semifinal, and potentially the Final, all initially scheduled at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, may now be relocated.

Apart from the Women’s World Cup, the venue will be hosting the Maharaja T20 Trophy, the Karnataka T20 domestic tournament, which will start on August 11. However, the competition is likely to be played behind closed doors after the report.

Key requirements M Chinnaswamy Stadium lacks

Apart from declaring M Chinnaswamy Stadium unsafe to host major events, the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission has outlined several key requirements that the venue lacks. This includes:

•  Purpose-built queuing and circulation areas separated from public roads
•  Sufficient entry and exit gates to manage mass ingress and egress
•  Integrated access to public transport and nearby tourist hubs
• Comprehensive emergency evacuation plans in line with global safety norms
•  Adequate parking and drop-off facilities to accommodate large volumes of attendees

Meanwhile, the panel also recommended action against Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) chief Raghuram Bhatt, ex-secretary A Shankar, ex-treasurer ES Jairam, RCB vice-president Rajesh Menon, DNA Entertainment Networks MD T Venkat Vardhan, and VP Sunil Mathur.

Shankar and Jairam resigned from their respective positions at KSCA as a moral responsibility in the aftermath of the stampede that turned into a tragedy outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

LoP Blames Government for Mishandling Crowd Control

The stampede on 4th June led to the death of 11 people, while 56 were injured as people thronged to participate in the Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB) team's IPL victory celebrations.

"This case is a 'black spot' in the history of Karnataka sports. There has been an accusation-counter-accusation between the police and the state government on this issue," Ashoka shared in a letter on X. 

Demand for Non-Political Investigation to Ensure Justice

LoP said that the question still remains as to who is the real culprit behind this case, which has resulted in the loss of the lives of innocent people.

"So, what I request is that, without any political involvement in this case, this case should be investigated by the CBI, the real culprits should be identified, and justice should be given to the innocent lives lost," he said.

Government Submits Status Report to Karnataka High Court

Earlier on Thursday, the Karnataka government submitted a status report on the Chinnaswamy stadium stampede to the Karnataka High Court.

The report has highlighted serious lapses and mismanagement within the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise.

According to the state government, no formal permission was taken from the event organiser (DNA), merely informing the police about the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory parade on June 3 without seeking formal approval as mandated by the 2009 city order. Consequently, the police denied permission.

Despite police denial, RCB proceeded to publicly promote the event. On June 4, they shared open invitations on social media, including a video appeal by Virat Kohli, encouraging fans to attend the free-entry celebration, as per the report. 

The Karnataka government has now submitted an inquiry report to the High Court, placing responsibility on the organisers, including RCB, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event management firm DNA Entertainment Networks, for what it called a "complete lack of pre-planning". The report also names star cricketer Virat Kohli in its findings.

Report Highlights Planning Failures and Lack of Permissions 

According to the government report, the organisers failed to obtain necessary permissions in advance. If prior approval had been sought, state departments, including the police and emergency services,  could have prepared for the crowd.

The report further states that RCB made sudden announcements on social media, triggering massive turnout without giving authorities time to enforce security and crowd control measures.

Uninformed Crowd Control: Timeline of Events 

• 7:01 am: RCB announced on social media that a public victory parade would be held from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium with free entry, without informing the police.
• 8:00 am: A promotional video featuring a key RCB player was posted, encouraging fans to join the celebration.
• 3:14 pm: RCB released another post, this time stating that access was limited to pass-holders, which further confused the public.

The combination of vague communication and lack of coordination led to over 300,000 people gathering near the stadium, according to the report. Over 4.4 million users viewed the posts, overwhelming the venue and city authorities.

Medical and Security Lapses 

Despite assurances by the organisers that medical and emergency arrangements had been made, the report reveals that there were no adequate first-aid facilities, ambulances, or crowd control personnel in place. The Karnataka government squarely blamed the organisers and event partners for neglecting basic safety protocols.

Families Mourn, Public Demands Accountability 

The victims of the stampede include young fans and daily-wage workers who came to catch a glimpse of the team. Several others were injured in the chaos. Public outrage has grown, with families of the deceased demanding justice and accountability.

Government Calls for Stricter Regulations 

In its concluding note, the report recommends stricter regulations for large-scale public gatherings. It emphasises that no sporting celebration of such scale should be held without prior approvals, detailed security planning, and coordination between event managers and state agencies.

“The case does not fall in the three categories— public interest, national security or privacy rights. Karnataka government should furnish the report along with translations to  Karnataka State Cricket Association, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited,” the court stated.

The state government wanted the status report be kept in sealed cover till they receive the Magisterial Inquiry and Judicial Commission reports. The state argued that sharing the report would influence the Magisterial Inquiry/Judicial Commission report. However, the court said that keeping the report secret must be justified only by reasons like national security, public interest, or privacy rights — not by arguments that sharing it might affect the Magisterial Inquiry or Judicial Commission.

The court said the argument has no merit because it doesn’t serve any public interest, and a retired High Court judge and an All India Service officer leading the inquiry are unlikely to be influenced by the status report from the government. “We initiated the suo moto case to know the reasons that led to this tragedy, and how it could have been prevented. We are of the view that, if the sealed cover is opened and the report is shared with the respondents, they can assist the Court to understand the facts in a better perspective. It shall also signify a fair chance being given to the parties to narrate what exactly happened from their perspective,” LiveLaw reported the court as saying.

The league’s brand value alone has jumped to $3.9 billion, marking a sharp 13.8% rise in just one year. For fans, it’s a celebration. For investors and franchises, it’s a goldmine.

RCB: From Trophy Dreamers to Valuation Kings 

For years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru were a team that flattered to deceive. Big stars, big hype—but no silverware. That changed this year. They finally won their maiden IPL title — and now, they’ve got another reason to pop the champagne.

RCB has officially become the most valuable IPL franchise, with a brand value of $269 million. It’s a leapfrog over Mumbai Indians ($242 million) and Chennai Super Kings ($235 million), two teams with a history of titles and packed trophy cabinets.

And the timing couldn’t be better. With Virat Kohli still very much the face of the team, the brand has only grown stronger. Bengaluru isn’t just winning matches — it’s winning balance sheets.

“More Than Just Cricket” 

Anyone who’s seen an IPL match knows — this isn’t just cricket. It’s Bollywood, it’s fireworks, it’s influencers, it’s DJs, it’s memes. And the folks at Houlihan Lokey know it too.

In their report, the bank described the IPL as "a global phenomenon" that’s grown far beyond sport. Harsh Talikoti, from the firm, put it best: "The IPL continues to set benchmarks in sports business. Franchise valuations have soared, media rights deals have reached record highs, and brand partnerships have diversified across sectors."

And he’s right. The IPL now pulls in sponsors from tech, FMCG, crypto, fashion—you name it. Everyone wants a slice of the action.

"The league's ability to attract global investors and sponsors reflects its status as a premier sports property with enduring appeal."

IPL 2025: The Final That Broke the Internet

If you thought the IPL was big in stadiums, wait till you hear about your phone screens. The 2025 final between RCB and Punjab Kings wasn’t just a cricket match—it was a streaming earthquake.

Played at Ahmedabad’s colossal Narendra Modi Stadium, the match clocked 678 million views on JioHotstar. That’s not a typo. It even beat the numbers from the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy clash earlier this year.

In an era of digital attention spans and scattered eyeballs, the IPL is still managing to pull in record-breaking audiences. No other cricket property comes close.

IPL: More Than a League, It’s a Movement 

There’s something uniquely Indian about the IPL. The dancing, the music, the film stars sitting next to cricketing greats — it’s sport as only India can do it. Over the years, it’s also become the blueprint for other leagues across the country.

From kabaddi and badminton to even poker, the IPL has inspired a franchise revolution. Everyone wants to replicate its success, though few manage to crack the code.

And the players? They come from all over — Australia’s Pat Cummins, England’s Jos Buttler, and the very best of Indian domestic talent. For young cricketers, an IPL debut means instant stardom. For veterans, it’s a stage to stay relevant.

Fueling Dreams—and an Entire Economy 

Beyond the stadiums and glitz, the IPL is an economic engine. In 2020, it was estimated that the league pumped more than $11 billion into the Indian economy each year. From the chai vendor outside Wankhede to the ad agency in Mumbai planning million-dollar campaigns — the IPL touches everyone.

It’s cricket, yes. But it’s also employment, investment, ambition, entertainment. All packed into two months of power-hitting, last-over thrillers, and city pride.

No permission for celebrations

The CAT order stated that neither the franchise nor its event management firm, S DNA Entertainment Network Private Limited, sought any permissions to conduct the title celebration parade at the stadium. CAT also pointed out that for the organisation of such events, an application has to be made a week before under the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Public Procession (Bengaluru city) order, 2009. However, neither RCB nor DNA did so.

The order also said on day of IPL final, June 3, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) chief executive officer Shubhendu Ghosh wrote a letter, on behalf of team's event management firm to Cubbon Park Police Station (adjacent to Chinnaswamy stadium) that of the team won the trophy, there would be "potential victory parades" around the ground which would "end with victory celebrations" inside the stadium. The route for the parade was shared, but permission was not sought.

The CAT order said that when the letter was submitted, it was "not certain" that RCB would win, and it did not have "any request for granting the permission" to hold the victory parade and celebrations. "The organiser did not wait for the response of the Police," the order said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. "At the eleventh hour, they submitted a letter and started the scheduled programme," it added.

The order also put out a sequence of social media announcements made by RCB on June 4, starting with the "victory parade is scheduled in Bengaluru" post. After the first post was done at 7:01 AM, the order said, "at 8 am RCB posted a link on their Instagram. "Army, We can't wait to be back to the Home of Champions and celebrate with all of you today. Details out soon."

At 8:55 AM, the same post was issued again, accompanied by a statement from star batter Virat Kohli. The order also said that on 3:14 PM on June 4, RCB posted on their socials that a victory parade will be held at 5 PM on the same day, followed by celebrations inside Chinnaswamy. The CAT pulled up RCB for "unilaterally" putting up information on celebrations without "obtaining the permission" or without the "consent" of the police." The RCB post did advice fans to guidelines set by police and other authorities" for peaceful and prosperous conducting of the event, it also informed fans of free passes issued on franchise's official website with a "limited entry" disclaimer. The order said since the post had no information disbursement of passes" it "implied" the event was "open to all" affair.

The order said that this all led to "gathering of immense proportion" at the venue, which could accommodate only 35,000 people. The order said that policy was stretched already, having to regulate the crowd in the night immediately after team's six run win at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. The cops came under immense burden as the state government organised a "felicitation" for players. "Therefore, prima facie it appears that RCB is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people," the order said.

"RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered. Because of the shortage of time on 04.06.2025, the Police were unable to make the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the Police. Suddenly, RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission," it added.

The order came out in defence of cops, saying that they are "human beings", neither God (Bhagwan) nor Magician and did not have the magical powers like "Alladin ka Chirag" capable of fulfilling a wish only by rubbing a finger." CAT is a quasi-judicial body, dealing with issues of government and public servants. RCB itself is not part of the proceedings. Their observations will have no bearing on the inquiry set by the state government for the probe of the stampede. The inquiry is being done by ex-High Court Justice Michael da Cunha.

Last week, Yash Dayal, who was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaign in IPL 2025, landed in big trouble after a Ghaziabad woman accused him of sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage. The woman, in her complaint to the Ghaziabad Police, alleged that she had been in a five-year relationship with the RCB pacer, who promised to marry her.

The woman further claimed that Dayal exploited her both physically and mentally, and even introduced her to his family as their ‘daughter-in-law’. Yash Dayal was also accused of being involved in a similar relationship with other women, making them emotionally and financially dependent on him.

Yash Dayal could face 10 years imprisonment

A week after a Ghaziabad woman filed a complaint through the online grievance portal, IGRS, the Ghaziabad Police registered an FIR against Yash Dayal under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses crime involving sexual exploitation under the guise of false promises of marriage.

According to section 69 of BNS, it states, “Whoever, by deceitful means or by making a promise to marry a woman without any intention of fulfilling the same, and has sexual intercourse with her, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine.

Ghaziabad, UP: An FIR has been registered against cricketer Yash Dayal at PS Indirapuram, under BNS Section 69, on charges of sexual exploitation, physical violence, mental harassment and cheating by making false promises of marriage.

— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2025

Since Yash Dayal has been lodged under section 69 of BNS, it is a non-bailable offence, meaning that the RCB pacer cannot claim as a matter of right and will require the discretion of the court in order to secure bail during the legal proceedings.

If Yash Dayal is proven guilty under section 69 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for sexual exploitation under the guise of false promises of marriage, he could face up to 10 years of imprisonment and a monetary fine, along with a potential impact on his professional cricketing career and reputation.

‘I tried to end my life many times’

In the complaint filed against Yash Dayal, a woman from Ghaziabad alleged that she tried to commit suicide due to trauma and depression attributed to emotional abuse and mental harassment that she had endured during a five-year relationship with him.

She also alleged that Yash Dayal’s family knew of the relationship between them, but kept giving false assurances.

“I tried to end my life many times because I couldn’t get out of the mental pain, and he and his family kept giving me false assurances,” the woman wrote in her complaint.

“His relationship with other women caused me deep mental trauma and broke me down,” she added.

The development comes day after Central Administrative Tribunal held RCB responsible for the June 4 Bengaluru stampede. The tribunal said RCB failed to allow the police enough time for proper security arrangements.

The stampede took place during RCB’s victory celebration and left 11 people dead and more than 50 others injured. The complaint alleges serious lapses in safety measures by the franchise.

Complaint calls for RCB’s suspension

The complaint, filed by Vikash Kumar on June 12, blames the RCB franchise for gross negligence and safety violations. It demands strict accountability and requests that the BCCI suspend the RCB franchise and invalidate any ongoing franchise sale negotiations.

Justice Mishra, who is the BCCI Ombudsman and a former Supreme Court judge, noted the seriousness of the allegations and the need for urgent response.

BCCI directs RCB and KSCA to respond

The Ombudsman has directed both RCB and KSCA to submit their written replies within four weeks. The replies must also be shared with the complainant. A rejoinder, if any, can be filed within 10 days after that.

The order makes it clear that if the parties fail to show valid reasons, the reliefs requested in the complaint may be granted.

Concern over possible franchise sale to avoid consequences

The show-cause notice also highlights concerns that RCB might try to distance itself from the tragedy by selling off its ownership. Justice Mishra stressed that a status quo must be maintained, and any such attempts should not impact the accountability process.

Interim relief and next steps

While an interim relief has been sought, no final decision has been made yet. The case is under active examination, and the BCCI has indicated that serious consequences may follow if negligence is confirmed.

Government to decide on legal options after tribunal order

Speaking to the media at Vartha Soudha, the central office of the Information and Public Relations Department, Siddaramaiah said, “There is an opportunity to appeal the Central Administrative Tribunal's order quashing the suspension order of IPS officers in connection with the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case and an appropriate decision will be taken in this regard.”

Vikas Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police, was among the officers suspended following the stampede incident at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory parade.

The CAT recently set aside the suspension, prompting the government to weigh its legal options. The incident claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 people.

Siddaramaiah responds to MLA BR Patil’s remark on his post

Responding to a question about MLA BR Patil's reported remark that Siddaramaiah became Deputy Chief Minister by chance, the Chief Minister said, "Since B.R. Patil and I were MLAs together and I got an opportunity to become the Chief Minister, B.R. Patil may have made such a statement," he remarked.

Regarding concerns about caste census posters being pasted on houses without prior visits from officials, Siddaramaiah emphasised that effective systems are in place to ensure accurate data collection.

"Many systems have been put in place to conduct the caste census. Caste details can be submitted online or collected through house visits. The media should probe such claims to know the truth," he added.

Expert panel formed to probe heart attack deaths in Hassan

Meanwhile, in response to four heart attack deaths within 24 hours in Karnataka's Hassan district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced the formation of an expert committee led by Dr Ravindranath of Jayadeva Institute to investigate the cause and submit a report within 10 days.

The panel will be headed by Dr Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. The decision follows reports of 21 heart attack-related deaths in the district over the last 40 days. 

The tragic incident, which occurred near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, left 11 people dead and many others injured. The crowd had gathered to celebrate RCB’s first-ever IPL title win in 18 years.

RCB's last-minute announcement criticised

According to the tribunal, RCB made a sudden announcement on social media about a victory parade just a day after their IPL win. The announcement was made without getting proper permission from the Bengaluru Police.

The tribunal noted that this unexpected post caused a crowd of 3 to 5 lakh people to gather near the stadium. It said this kind of 'nuisance' created by RCB should have been planned with prior approval and proper coordination with the authorities.

Police not given time to prepare

The CAT defended the Bengaluru Police and said the force was not given enough time to prepare for such a massive crowd. The tribunal said, “Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither God nor magicians.”

The short notice, about 12 hours, did not allow the police to make arrangements as required under the Police Act and other safety rules.

Tribunal supports suspended police officer

The case came to the tribunal after a Bengaluru police officer challenged his suspension in connection with the stampede. During the hearing, the CAT observed that the police were already busy managing crowds that had gathered overnight on June 3.

At the same time, there was also another official function at Vidhana Soudha, organised by the state government. The police force had to divide their attention, which made it even more difficult to control the situation at the stadium.

Police need advance notice for large events

The tribunal made it clear that large public gatherings need time and planning. It said the RCB did not inform the police in advance, and as a result, there was no way to ensure crowd safety.

The tribunal concluded that the blame lies with the organisers, in this case RCB, for failing to take responsibility and not coordinating with authorities before announcing the event.

Suspension challenged for lack of evidence

Vikash Kumar had challenged the Karnataka government's suspension order, which was issued under Rule 3(1)(a) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969. The rule relates to dereliction of duty. The order alleged that he, along with other officials, failed to implement necessary crowd-control and safety measures, despite prior information about the mass gathering outside Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Tribunal says suspension lacked specific charges

The tribunal noted that the suspension order failed to clearly outline Vikash’s specific role or acts of negligence that directly led to the stampede. It stated that while there was acknowledgement of insufficient preparation time, the suspension did not establish direct culpability or wilful misconduct by the officer.

Vikash claims he was made a scapegoat

In his application, Vikash argued that he had been unfairly targeted and made a scapegoat in the aftermath of the tragic incident.

Along with quashing Vikash’s suspension, the tribunal urged the Karnataka government to reassess the disciplinary actions taken against the other officers suspended in connection with the incident.

The stampede occurred on June 4, when a massive crowd gathered outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory. The event turned tragic, leading to 11 deaths and over 50 injuries.