Former South Africa star AB de Villiers has expressed strong confidence in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), backing the franchise to successfully defend their title in IPL 2026.

RCB made history last season by winning their first-ever Indian Premier League trophy after 18 years, and according to De Villiers, the team now has the right balance and mindset to continue their winning run.

“RCB Can Go All the Way Again”

Speaking about the team’s chances, De Villiers highlighted that RCB are no longer overly dependent on their star batter Virat Kohli.

“Virat can feel that he is not the only one carrying the load anymore. He has a squad of fighters around him… I think they are in a really good place,” De Villiers said.

He emphasized that the squad has remained largely unchanged, which adds to their stability and confidence going into the new season.

According to him, this continuity gives RCB a strong chance to “go all the way again” in IPL 2026.

A Stronger, More Balanced Squad

De Villiers pointed out that one of the biggest positives for RCB is the depth and resilience within the squad.

• Multiple match-winners across batting and bowling
• Reduced pressure on key players like Kohli
• Improved team confidence after winning the title

This shift from a star-dependent team to a well-rounded unit could be crucial in defending their championship.

“RCB Can Build a Winning Dynasty”

De Villiers also recalled Virat Kohli’s long-standing belief that once RCB wins one title, more could follow.

“If we can win one, we are going to win two, three, four quickly.”

Now that RCB has broken its title drought, De Villiers believes the team is entering a phase where they can dominate the league consistently.

He suggested that RCB could become a regular title contender and potentially build a mini-dynasty in the IPL.

High Expectations from Virat Kohli

All eyes will once again be on Virat Kohli, who is set to return to action in IPL 2026 after a break from international cricket.

Kohli last played during the ODI series against the New Zealand national cricket team in January and has since stepped away from Tests and T20Is.

Despite the gap, De Villiers dismissed concerns about Kohli’s form or fitness.

“He has the best work ethic I have ever seen in my life. He will not come into the tournament undercooked.”

He added that any dip in performance would likely be due to form or minor technical adjustments, not lack of preparation.

IPL 2026: A Big Season Ahead

The upcoming season of the Indian Premier League is set to begin on March 28, 2026, with RCB entering the tournament as defending champions.

With:

• A settled squad
• Renewed confidence
• Strong leadership

RCB will aim to repeat their historic success and establish themselves as one of the league’s dominant teams.