Will Virat Kohli Bowl? RCB Star Spotted Bowling in Nets Before KKR Clash
An Unexpected Sight in Raipur
As the skies over Raipur threatened to derail the highly anticipated IPL 2026 encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the mood at the stadium remained tense. With rain forcing a delay, fans were looking for any distraction to ease the frustration of a potential washout. Enter Virat Kohli, who provided an unexpected highlight that quickly went viral.
Shortly after the rain subsided around 8 PM IST, the former RCB skipper was seen on the practice track, visibly warming up his bowling action. The moment did not go unnoticed, as the official IPL social media handle shared a clip of the superstar with the caption: “Beware batters, a right-arm quick bowler is warming up.”
A Gesture of Confidence
The visuals showed Kohli displaying a remarkably serious demeanor as he went through his bowling motions. In a moment that delighted the crowd, he performed a dismissal gesture after delivering the ball, clearly suggesting he had accounted for a batter during the net session. This brief display of spontaneity turned the focus from the gloomy weather to the potential tactical options RCB might have up their sleeve.
Although the rain delay lasted nearly an hour, the match was spared from a reduction in overs, with the full 40-over quota preserved. Upon the resumption of play, RCB won the toss and elected to field, keeping the debate alive: could we actually see Kohli roll his arm over?
The History of ‘King Kohli’ the Bowler
The chant “Kohli ko bowling do” (Give the ball to Kohli) has become a staple in stadiums across India whenever the star is fielding near the boundary ropes. It reflects the fans’ affection for his versatility. While Kohli is undoubtedly one of the greatest batters to have graced the game, his record as a bowler is more of a curiosity than a career pillar.
Throughout his illustrious international career, Kohli has bowled in all three formats. His success has been limited, but he has managed to pick up wickets, specifically five in ODIs and four in T20 Internationals. In the IPL, his bowling journey has been even more sporadic. His total wicket tally in the league stands at four, with those successes coming exclusively in the 2008 and 2011 seasons.
The last time fans saw Kohli bowl in an actual IPL match was back in 2016. During that solitary over, he conceded 13 runs, and he has not returned to the bowling crease in the tournament since that appearance.
Tactical Reality Check
Despite the excitement generated by his warm-up session, the tactical reality for RCB remains clear. The team has assembled a robust bowling unit to tackle the challenges posed by the reigning champions, KKR. With the likes of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar leading the attack, supported by Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam, and Jacob Duffy, the RCB management is well-equipped with specialist options.
While it is always entertaining to imagine a scenario where Kohli surprises everyone by taking the ball, the likelihood of such an event in such a high-pressure, playoff-relevant match is effectively near zero. The primary objective for the RCB squad is to secure a victory through their established bowling core. Nevertheless, the sight of Kohli sharpening his bowling skills serves as a reminder of his deep involvement in every aspect of the game, keeping spirits high even during the most challenging conditions.
As the match proceeds, the focus will rightly shift back to the main bowling attack. However, the viral moment in the nets remains a testament to Kohli’s enduring ability to captivate the cricketing world, whether he is wielding the willow or simply warming up his arm.
