Virat Kohli Sends Strong Message to RCB Teammates Ahead of IPL 2026 Title Defence

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With IPL 2026 just days away, Virat Kohli set the tone for defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, delivering a powerful message to teammates during the squad's first training session in Bengaluru.

The moment, captured in a video shared by the franchise, showed Kohli addressing the group with intensity, a reminder that defending a title often proves harder than winning one.

Virat Kohli urges focus ahead of tougher title defence

RCB enter IPL 2026 with the added pressure of being defending champions after finally breaking their long title drought in 2025 with a win over Punjab Kings in the final.

Speaking to teammates at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli emphasised that expectations will only grow and that rivals will target RCB more aggressively this season.

"We worked really hard over the last two to three seasons to achieve what we did last year, and it's only going to get tougher because the other teams are going to come hard at us" Kohli said.

He also stressed the importance of discipline during preparation, urging players not to take training time lightly.

"We don't waste these days. We stay ahead. So, switch on now. Let's not waste even a minute of every session we are a part of. We must give our 120% for these two and a half months."

The message reflected Kohli's trademark intensity, something that has defined RCB's renewed culture over the past few seasons.

Andy Flower backs strengthened RCB squad

Alongside Kohli's speech, head coach Andy Flower welcomed new signings and highlighted the improvements made during the auction.

Flower expressed confidence that the refreshed squad would help RCB maintain momentum from their historic title win.

"We had an interesting auction. I think we've improved our squad, to be quite frank," Flower said. "We brought in some great new additions... integrating those new players into the RCB way with established players, obviously led by Virat and Rajat, is an exciting part of building a new team together."

He also acknowledged the symbolic importance of entering the season as champions.

"If there is one difference this year, we have actually got a star on our shirts. So that is a very proud feeling to have for all RCBians."

A new challenge begins

For RCB, IPL 2026 represents more than just another campaign - it is an opportunity to prove that their 2025 triumph was not a one-off.

With Kohli leading the charge off the field and the team carrying new confidence into the season, the focus is now on maintaining intensity across the tournament's demanding schedule.

And if the tone of that first training session is anything to go by, RCB are fully aware that defending their crown will require even greater effort than winning it the first time.