RCB batting coach and mentor, Dinesh Karthik, has been impressed with Virat Kohli's attitude and intent after RCB's second intra-squad practice game ahead of the new season of IPL. Kohli scored a 19-ball 45 during the practice match as he prepares for the 19th edition of the IPL.

Speaking after RCB's practice match on Wednesday, Karthik heaped praise on Kohli for his dominant performance in the warm-up matches. Karthik highlighted Kohli's drive to improve, positive intent and his energy that helps keep the team environment positive.

"Good game today. The class of Virat came through quite nicely up front, played some lovely shots. The greatness about Virat is every year he comes up with a certain plan, a certain intent. I feel this year he'll try and get even better. That tells a lot about the person that he is. He's always trying to push his boundaries. And also what he brings in terms of energy to the crowd, to the meetings. Those are all big things and that's a big part of Virat's personality as well," Karthik said in a video posted by RCB on social media.

On Monday, RCB played their first intra-squad warm-up game. In the game, captain Rajat Patidar produced 74 runs of 25 balls, while wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma scored a 37-ball 81, and Kohli made a brief 12-ball 29-run cameo.

Jitesh (81 in 37 balls), Tim David (36 in 14 balls), Iyer (30 in 16 balls), and Virat (29 in 12 balls) dominated the scorecard as the Venkatesh Iyer-led team batted first and scored 234/7. The opposing team, led by Krunal, scored 247 runs in their 20 overs, with notable performances from Rajat (74 in 25 balls), Padikkal (63 in 33 balls), and Krunal (58 in 33 balls).

RCB will kickstart their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home in Bengaluru on March 28.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 2026 Squad:

Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Swapnil Singh, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Abhinandan Singh, Satvik Deswal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan.