IPL 2026: Virat Kohli picks his all-time Royal Challengers Bengaluru XI

Published - 16 Mar 2026, 11:03 IST | Updated - 16 Mar 2026, 11:12 IST

Indian veteran Virat Kohli has picked Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s all-time playing XI ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026. RCB head into the new season as defending champions after winning their maiden title in 2025, ending a 17-year wait for the trophy.

Kohli selected himself alongside Universe Boss Chris Gayle as the opening pair, while South African great AB de Villiers was slotted at No. 3. At No. 4, he picked Indian Test opener KL Rahul, followed by current RCB captain Rajat Patidar at No. 5.

Further down the order, the right-handed batter included Dinesh Karthik at No. 6, with all-rounder Harshal Patel at No. 7. For the spin department, he named legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble at No. 8 and Yuzvendra Chahal as the second spinner. To complete the bowling attack, the Delhi-born batter opted for two overseas pace greats, Dale Steyn and Mitchell Starc, rounding off his RCB all-time XI.

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Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, KL Rahul, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Harshal Patel, Anil Kumble, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, Yuzvendra Chahal

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RCB will once again be led by Patidar in IPL 2026, with the defending champions aiming to retain their title after their historic triumph last season. RCB entered the new campaign with a strong squad and added several new players during the mini-auction. The franchise secured the services of Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav, Satvik Deswal, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, and Kanishk Chouhan, strengthening their lineup ahead of the season.

RCB will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. They will also be involved in two high-profile clashes later in the tournament, facing Chennai Super Kings on April 5 in Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians on April 12 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.