India batting maestro Virat Kohli is currently preparing for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 where his franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the tournament opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Virat Kohli picks RCB all time XI
Ahead of the new season, Kohli shared his all-time RCB XI in a video posted on the team’s official X handle. The video, recorded at the start of IPL 2025, showed Kohli picking some of the biggest stars who have played for RCB over the years.
Opening the innings alongside Kohli, he chose Chris Gayle, while the legendary South African batter AB de Villiers took the No. 3 spot. The trio has won many matches for RCB in the 2010s, though they never lifted the IPL trophy together.
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Rajat Patidar named as captain
Kohli’s XI also includes KL Rahul at No. 4, and RCB mainstays Rajat Patidar and Dinesh Karthik at 5 and 6. Rahul, who is now set to play for Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2026, debuted in the IPL with CSK in 2013, while Patidar, who became RCB captain in IPL 2025, led the team to their first-ever IPL title.
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For the bowling lineup, Kohli named Harshal Patel, Anil Kumble, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, and Yuzvendra Chahal.
“I would open with Gayle and myself, with AB at three. For the overseas players, I’d pick AB, Chris, Mitchell Starc, and Dale Steyn to make the bowling stronger. At four, KL Rahul had an amazing season batting for us. Five would be Rajat Patidar, because he plays spin brilliantly, and six is Dinesh Karthik. Yuzi at 11 for his batting,” Kohli explained.
“For seven and eight, I’d have Anil Kumble, he would complete an unbelievable XI. Then Harshal Patel, who can bat a little too, fits perfectly as the third seamer,” he added.
Virat Kohli’s all-time IPL XI
Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, KL Rahul, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Harshal Patel, Anil Kumble, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, Yuzvendra Chahal