Virat Kohli, the famous cricket star for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has sent a powerful message to his team. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, he spoke to the players during their first official practice session of the year. The meeting took place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where the team was getting ready for the new season. Kohli told his teammates that they must stay focused and not waste even one minute of their training time.

What Happened?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are getting ready to defend their title in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). Since they won the trophy last year, there is a lot of pressure on them to do well again. Virat Kohli, who has been with the team for a long time, knows how hard it is to win. He addressed the squad in a very serious way during their first day of training. He told them that the journey to winning last year took two or three seasons of very hard work. He explained that winning the title once was just the beginning, and now they have to work even harder to keep it.

Kohli used the words "switch on" to tell the players to be ready mentally and physically. He said that every practice session matters. He does not want the team to relax just because they are the current champions. In fact, he warned them that other teams will be trying even harder to beat them this year. Because RCB is the team to beat, every match will be a big challenge. Kohli wants everyone to give 120 percent of their effort for the next two and a half months. He believes that if they stay ahead in their training, they will be ready for the matches.

The team has also made some big changes during the player auction. They have added new talent like Venkatesh Iyer and Mangesh Yadav to the squad. Other new names include Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, and Satvik Deswal. These new players are joining established stars like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. The goal is to mix the experience of the older players with the energy of the new ones. The training sessions are the place where all these players come together to form a strong bond before the games begin.

Key Highlights

Virat Kohli led the first practice session for RCB on March 21, 2026, in Bengaluru.
He told his teammates to "switch on" and stay focused during every single training minute.
RCB is the defending champion this year and wants to win the IPL title again.
The team will play its first match of the 2026 season against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28.
Kohli asked the players to give 120 percent effort for the whole two-and-a-half-month season.
New players like Venkatesh Iyer and Jordan Cox have joined the RCB squad to make it stronger.
Head coach Andy Flower is very happy with the balance of the new team.

Why Does This Matter?

This news is very important for the millions of fans who support Royal Challengers Bengaluru. For a long time, the fans waited for the team to win a trophy. Now that they have won one, the fans want to see if the team can do it again. Virat Kohli’s speech shows that the team is not getting lazy. It tells the fans that the players are still hungry for success. When a leader like Kohli speaks with such passion, it gives the fans hope that the team will perform well in the upcoming matches.

It also matters because it shows how hard professional athletes have to work. Even after winning a big tournament, they cannot stop. They have to start from zero every year. For people watching at home, this is a good lesson about hard work and discipline. Kohli’s message of giving 120 percent can inspire anyone to work harder at their own jobs or studies. It shows that success comes to those who do not waste time and stay focused on their goals.

What Are People Saying?

The head coach of the team, Andy Flower, also spoke about the team's plans. He said that he is very satisfied with the players they bought during the auction. He believes that the squad has improved and is now stronger in areas where they were weak before. Flower is excited to see how the new players fit into the "RCB way" of playing cricket. He thinks that having leaders like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar will help the new players learn quickly and perform better under pressure.

Cricket experts and fans on social media are also talking about Kohli's speech. Many people agree that being the defending champion is a difficult position. They like that Kohli is being strict with the team from the very first day. Fans are saying that this serious attitude is exactly what is needed to win another trophy. The energy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is very high, and everyone is waiting to see the team play their first game of the season.

What Happens Next?

The RCB players will continue to train every day at their home ground in Bengaluru. They have just one week left to prepare for their first big match. On March 28, they will face Sunrisers Hyderabad. This first game will be very important to show how well the team has prepared. After the first match, the team will play many more games across different cities in India. The fans will be watching closely to see if the "switch on" message from Kohli leads the team to another victory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When is RCB's first match in 2026? A: RCB will play their first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, 2026.
Q: Who is the head coach of RCB? A: The head coach of the team is Andy Flower.
Q: Which new players joined RCB this year? A: New players include Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, and Satvik Deswal.
Q: Where did the first practice session happen? A: The practice session took place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Conclusion

Virat Kohli is making it clear that Royal Challengers Bengaluru is ready for the 2026 IPL season. By asking his teammates to stay focused and give their best, he is setting a very high standard. The team has a good mix of experienced players and new talent. With the support of their fans and a strong leader like Kohli, RCB looks ready to fight for the title once again. The hard work has already started on the practice field, and soon it will be time for the matches to begin.