Virat Kohli returned to the Indian Premier League with a match-winning knock for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad, immediately underlining his intent to help RCB defend the title they won for the first time last season. The innings provided a timely boost for Bengaluru as they begin their title defence in IPL 2026.
Kohli reached the tournament without an extensive build-up, having taken a break after India’s last ODI assignment in January before travelling to England. He has been spending more time in London with his family to stay away from the Indian spotlight and typically returns only ahead of major assignments — a move that, according to recent form, has not diminished his effectiveness at the crease.
The former India captain has also faced social media scrutiny over his decision to base himself in London. In a light-hearted RCB video, comedian Danish Sait, in his Mr Nags persona, joked, “People are saying RCB are playing five overseas players, I am not understanding what they are saying actually.” Kohli, with a half smile, shot back: “I don’t know, why are you asking me? Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player. Am I an overseas player?”
Reflecting on the relief of finally winning the IPL with RCB after a long wait, Kohli acknowledged how lifting the trophy eased a weight he had felt for years. “I had heard of this statement or this saying, four years, monkey off the back. That night I really felt what it means. Everything became light,” he said.
Kohli further described what victory means to him beyond the trophy: “Victory is the accumulation of hard work, all the sacrifices you’ve made, to be committed to the sport. It all comes together as a form of assurance, a reward, to know that you haven’t wasted your time. A lot of people learn from losses, but a lot of people can get very disheartened as well. So when you win after a lot of hard work, it makes you feel a sense of justice to the work that you put in, and also gives you motivation to work harder,” he added.
Kohli’s opening performance — and his words about work and reward — set the tone for RCB’s campaign, reinforcing his central role as they aim to defend the IPL crown this season.
Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/virat-kohli-breaks-silence-on-being-called-an-overseas-player-for-rcb-in-ipl-2026-after-moving-to-london-101775276721307.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-04 10:00:00
