Royal Challengers Bengaluru are embarking on the IPL 2026 season as defending champions, a position they are not accustomed to. After years of being ridiculed for their inability to win despite having star players, they finally clinched their maiden IPL title in 2025. However, captain Virat Kohli has warned the team that the competition will be tougher this time around, with other teams coming at them harder. The team’s first training session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium set the tone for the season, emphasizing the need to maintain hunger and intensity to defend their title.
Head coach Andy Flower also highlighted the team’s growth and improvement, with a more balanced squad built around role clarity. Despite the success of the previous season, Flower stressed the importance of integrating new players and staying focused on the new challenge ahead. The team is proud to wear the mark of champions but understands that they must prove themselves once again in IPL 2026. The season begins with a sense of urgency and determination to show that their title win was just the beginning of their story.
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