Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli joined the franchise’s camp at Chinnaswamy Stadium and started practicing days ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 opener against defending champions Chennai Super Kings.
In a video making rounds on social media, Kohli was seen doing fielding practice.
On March 17, Kohli congratulated Smriti Mandhana-led side for ending RCB’s trophy drought with an eight-wicket win against Meg Lanning’s Delhi Capitals (DC). On a video call, Kohli talked to RCB players minutes after Richa Ghosh hit the winning runs.
Mandhana wants to meet Kohli’s RCB ahead of IPL 2024
"I didn't hear anything he was saying because it was too loud, he was like just thumbs up and I just did thumbs up," said Mandhana in the post-match press conference.
"I will be meeting him. He looked happy there was a bright smile. I remember him coming last year and a little pep talk which really helped me personally as well as the whole team. He has been a part of this franchise and I think he has been there for the past 15 years so I could see that happiness on his face but because of the noise I couldn't hear him, maybe I will chat to him when we go to Bengaluru," she added.
Kohli’s comeback after two months
Kohli will be seen in action on March 22 when RCB take on MS Dhoni’s CSK at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
The 35-year-old has not played competitive cricket since January 17, 2024. He pulled out of the five-Test series against England to be with his family for the birth of his second child, Akaay.
RCB’s IPL record
Like RCB women, the men's team qualified for the final in their second season but lost to the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. They made it to the final in 2011 but lost again. Under Kohli’s leadership, RCB made it to the final in the 2016 edition but were beaten by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a high-scoring encounter. They qualified for playoffs three times in a row from 2020 to 2022. However, in the previous edition, they finished sixth on the points table.
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