Virat Kohli made a stunning return to T20 cricket as he smashed an unbeaten 69 off just 38 balls to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL 2026 first match. Despite not playing the T20 format for 10 months, Kohli made headlines, scoring five boundaries and five sixes to help RCB win. However, Kohli’s former India teammate Manoj Tiwary applauded him.
“There will be at least a little bit of pressure because he hasn’t played much,” Tiwary said on Cricbuzz, speaking about Kohli. “But he always comes with proof of why he is Virat Kohli. As long as he is at the crease, there is always belief in the dugout,” Tiwary added.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has said that the defending champions tag for RCB is “irrelevant” as they focus on chasing the IPL 2026 title again as well.
‘We have to start one game again at a time’ – Jitesh Sharma on defending champions tag for RCB
Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of RCB’s match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sharma said, “Frankly speaking, it is irrelevant. As our director of cricket, Mo Bobat, said, we are not defending, we are chasing the title. This is a new season, we have to start one game again at a time, but with the confidence of what we have achieved.”
“If you ask me personally, I think it’s a good thing. Our Indian players are getting one more chance, so why not? Someone who is on the bench is getting an opportunity, so I am happy for that,” he concluded.
The defending champions, RCB, have started their IPL 2026 campaign on a winning note, where RCB beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets in the tournament opener as well.
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