WATCH: Virat Kohli tries his hand at bowling to Phil Salt ahead of RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opener
Virat Kohli turns bowler in RCB training ahead of IPL 2026 opener vs SRH, as he helps Phil Salt fine-tune his game in a viral practice session.
WATCH: Virat Kohli tries his hand at bowling to Phil Salt ahead of RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opener (Source: X)
IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star batter Virat Kohli took on an unusual role in the training session as he was seen bowling during a practice session ahead of IPL 2026. The defending champions are set to begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on March 28, Saturday.
In a video that has been widely shared, Kohli is seen bowling to his RCB teammate Phil Salt, helping the England opener work on his rhythm. He starts with a few full-length deliveries before asking Salt if he wants to practise against short balls as well. Salt agreed, and then he was seen working with Kohli on his pull shots.
Virat Kohli tries his hand in bowling, watch video here...
Virat Kohli and Phil Salt key role in guiding RCB to maiden IPL title
In IPL 2025, Kohli and Salt played a key role in guiding their side to their maiden title after an 18-year wait. The duo emerged as one of the most dangerous opening pairs that season. While Kohli often anchored the innings, Salt took on the aggressor's role.
Across 13 innings, Kohli and Salt combined a total of 565 runs and were instrumental in RCB lifting their first IPL trophy. In their IPL 2025 season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the pair stitched together a 95-run stand off 51 balls for the first wicket.
However, Salt had a disappointing campaign with England in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2026, as the bi-hitter scored just 130 runs from eight matches at an average of 16.25 and a strike-rate of 158.53. He managed to score just one half-century, a knock of 62 that came against Sri Lanka in the Super 8 stage.
Talking about Salt's IPL 2025 stat, he scored a total of 403 runs from 13 innings at a strike-rate of 175.98, while Kohli smashed 657 runs across 15 innings at a strike-rate of 144.71.
Virat Kohli supports Phil Salt despite dip in form
Kohli has thrown his support behind Salt despite his recent dip in form, with RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat also backing the England opener.
"Someone like Phil Salt is still ranked among the top two or three T20 batters [No. 4] in the world. He also really enjoys being with RCB. He enjoys the franchise. He enjoys his partnership with Kohli. He works very well with the likes of Andy and DK. So, they're doing some really good work right now." Bobat said during pre-season press conference
He added that RCB continue to have full faith in Salt despite his recent dip in form
"And I'm pretty sure we'll see at the start of the season Phil Salt doing his thing. You know, I'm looking forward to watching him and Virat walk out to bat like they do. A couple of gladiators walking out, which is always exciting. And they'll be trying to put the opposition under pressure. We've got a lot of confidence in our team. In particular, with your question, we do have confidence in Phil Salt," added Bobat.
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