Overview:
Mitchell Starc and Dale Steyn completed the playing XI. Starc took 34 wickets for the Bengaluru-based franchise. On the other hand, Steyn dismissed 38 batters.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s star batter Virat Kohli has picked the franchise’s all-time playing XI ahead of the IPL 2026. RCB are the defending champions, and they ended their 17-year drought in 2025.
Kohli jokingly spoke about Yuzvendra Chahal’s batting ability and put him at No.11. Chahal is RCB’s leading wicket-taker, with 139 scalps in 113 matches.
Kohli will open with himself and Chris Gayle, followed by AB de Villiers at No.3. While Virat has amassed 9,085 runs for the franchise, De Villiers and Gayle managed 4,522 and 3,429 runs, respectively. Kohli selected KL Rahul for the No.4 position, followed by current skipper Rajat Patidar. Rahul represented RCB in 19 matches and scored his runs at an average of 37.90.
Meanwhile, Patidar led the team to success last year and has been a part of 42 contests. He has accumulated 1,100 runs.
Kohli picked Dinesh Karthik as the wicket-keeper, who will bat at No.6, followed by Harshal Patel at No.7.
Harshit claimed 99 wickets in 80 matches for RCB. Anil Kumble was included at No.8, with Chahal already there to assist him. Mitchell Starc and Dale Steyn completed the playing XI. Starc took 34 wickets for the Bengaluru-based franchise. On the other hand, Steyn dismissed 38 batters.
Virat Kohli’s all-time RCB playing XI
Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, KL Rahul, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Harshal Patel, Anil Kumble, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn and Yuzvendra Chahal