Bengaluru, March 21 (NationPress) As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gear up to protect their Indian Premier League (IPL) title, their former captain and star batsman Virat Kohli has cautioned the team about the upcoming challenges in the 19th edition of the tournament, commencing on March 28.

RCB, who clinched their inaugural IPL title in 2025, will kick off their title defense with a match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28. Following this, they will face off against the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in another home game on April 5 during the first phase of the competition.

The team has commenced their training camp in Bengaluru, with the first session held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The renowned Indian batsman, Virat Kohli, alerted his RCB teammates that the 2026 IPL season would present greater challenges since they are the defending champions; other teams are expected to intensify their efforts to overcome them, as reported on Saturday.

During the initial practice session, Kohli addressed a small group primarily consisting of Indian players and encouraged them to give their maximum effort in the weeks to come. "We have put in significant effort over the past two to three seasons to reach where we are today, and it will only grow tougher as other teams will come at us strongly," Kohli stated.

Head coach Andy Flower welcomed the new players to the squad before Virat Kohli delivered an inspiring talk during the first practice session.

The former captain, who is among the top scorers in IPL history, emphasized the need for urgency from the outset, saying, "We must not waste any of these days. We need to stay ahead. So, switch on now. Let’s not waste even a minute of any session we partake in. We must give our 120 percent for the next two and a half months."

RCB has bolstered their squad during the auction, acquiring players such as Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, and Satvik Deswal.

Head coach Flower expressed his contentment with the team formed post-auction, noting that the franchise has fortified crucial areas.

"The auction was intriguing, and to be honest, I believe we have enhanced our squad. We’ve made some excellent additions. Integrating these new players into the RCB culture alongside established stars like Virat and Rajat is an exciting aspect of building this team," Flower remarked.

Flower stated that the team will tackle the upcoming challenges head-on rather than dwell on past victories. "This year, we have a star on our shirt, which is a source of pride for all RCB supporters. However, the previous season is behind us. Now we face a new challenge, and it’s an exhilarating one. We are here to succeed in this year's IPL," he concluded.