NewKerala.com

Virat Kohli's Aerial Assault: RCB Star Prepares for Historic IPL Title Defence

Star batter Virat Kohli has begun intense net sessions, showcasing powerful aerial shots as Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare to defend their IPL title. Coming off a trophy-winning season, Kohli is poised to play with greater freedom while chasing significant personal milestones. He is on the verge of becoming the first player to score 9,000 runs in IPL history and 10,000 T20 runs for a single franchise. His form will be critical for RCB as they begin their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28.

Key Points: Virat Kohli Prepares for RCB's IPL Title Defence, Chases Records

  • Kohli practices aerial hits in nets
  • Aims for 9,000 IPL runs milestone
  • Targets 10,000 T20 runs for RCB alone
  • Crucial to RCB's title defence
  • Could join 14,000-run T20 club
2 min read

Virat Kohli unleashes stunning aerial hits as RCB prepare for IPL title defence

Virat Kohli begins net practice for RCB's IPL title defence, aiming for 9,000 IPL runs and 10,000 runs for RCB in T20s. Watch his aerial hits.

"Virat Kohli will play with more freedom and fearlessness, having got the monkey off his back by capturing the elusive trophy last season. - Source"

Bengaluru, March 20

Star Royal Challengers Bengaluru and India batter Virat Kohli started practising ahead of the Indian Premier League title defence starting a week from now.

RCB will start their IPL title defence from March 28 onwards with a high-octane contest against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at their home venue of M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Virat, who has had three back-to-back seasons of 600-plus runs, will be extremely crucial to RCB's success, and it will be another season for the man with number 18 on his back chasing history and batting records.

Taking to X, RCB posted a brief glimpse of Virat's net session, where he displayed his majestic ball-striking with some special focus on aerial hits.

The leading run-getter in the IPL will play with more freedom and fearlessness, having got the monkey off his back by capturing the elusive trophy last season by beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a well-fought title clash at Ahmedabad.

Currently at 8,661 runs in 267 matches with eight centuries and 63 fifties, Virat will also be aiming to become the first player to reach the 9,000 run mark in the IPL history.

Having made 9,085 runs in 282 matches for RCB across IPL and now-defunct Champions League T20, Virat is one extraordinary season away from becoming the first-ever player to score 10,000 runs for a single IPL team in all of T20 cricket.

Having made 13,543 runs in 414 T20Is, including nine centuries and 105 fifties, Virat will also be aiming to join West Indies titans Chris Gayle (14,562 runs), Kieron Pollard (14,482 runs), England's Alex Hales (14,449 runs), and Australian legend David Warner (14,028 runs) as the fifth member of the 14,000-run club in T20 cricket.

Last season, Virat scored 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, with eight fifties to his name, finishing as the team's leading run-getter and third-highest run-getter overall.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Honestly, as a die-hard RCB fan, I'm just so happy we finally got the trophy. Now Virat can play with pure joy. The pressure is off, and that's when he's at his most destructive. Ee sala cup namde, but now we want another one!
R
Rohit P
The stats are mind-blowing. 10,000 runs for a single franchise? That's pure loyalty and legendary status. Other players change teams for money, but Virat is RCB. That itself is a bigger achievement than any trophy.
M
Michael C
Watching from the UK. Kohli's longevity is incredible. To maintain this level of fitness and performance across formats for so long is what separates the greats from the good. RCB's title defence starts and ends with him.
S
Siddharth J
Respectfully, the article focuses only on Virat. RCB is a team. Yes, he is the heart, but the bowling and middle order need to step up equally for a successful title defence. One man can't win it every time.
K
Kavya N
The focus on aerial hits in the nets is a great sign! It means he's working on accelerating even more in the middle overs. Last season's strike rate was good, but if he improves that, he'll be unstoppable. 💥

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50