DRS Mar 19: KL Rahul’s new update, Ishan Kishan to captain SRH and is Virat Kohli ready for IPL 2026?
The fever for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is on. Almost all superstars have joined their respective franchises, which have started to kickstart their main camps. Some teams are in the midst of a sell as well, namely the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). RR and RCB want to sell out all the stakes. Meanwhile, the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) have announced a new incumbent skipper in Ishan Kishan, with Abhishek Sharma as his deputy. Meanwhile, there are KL Rahul and Virat Kohli updates as well.

KL Rahul update
KL Rahul is set to open for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, a position he’s most comfortable in. The wicket-keeper batter has excelled when opening, amassing 5222 runs at an average of 46.21 in 145 IPL matches. DC has several opening options, including Ben Duckett, Pathum Nissanka, Prithvi Shaw, and Abishek Porel, making the decision tough. Rahul’s strength lies in opening, where he can dictate the pace and control the innings. In the middle order, he’s still effective, but it’s not his natural game. DC’s decision to promote him to the top order towards the end of IPL 2025 paid off, and he’s likely to continue there. Read more here.

New SRH captain, Ishan Kishan
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have appointed Ishan Kishan as their new captain for IPL 2026, with Abhishek Sharma as his deputy. The announcement comes after Pat Cummins, the current captain, is set to miss a few games due to a lumbar stress back injury. Kishan, who led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title, brings experience to the role. SRH will face RCB in their opening match on March 28 which will also be the tournament opener of the new season. Read more here.

RR sale in full flow?
Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) sale is gaining traction, with binding bids from three parties, including Aditya Birla Group and David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures. The valuation is around $1.1-1.35 billion (INR 9,000-12,000 crore). Other interested parties include Kal Somani, Times of India Group, and Capri Global. The sale process is being overseen by the Raine Group. Unlike RCB, Royals are in no hurry, and a full sale is on the table. The current ownership structure is complex, with multiple stakeholders. The team’s lack of trophies and no women’s team in WPL might be factors in the valuation. Read more here.

Is Virat Kohli ready for IPL 2026?
Virat Kohli is expected to be in top form for IPL 2026, according to AB de Villiers. Despite a two-month break from competitive cricket, Kohli’s exceptional work ethic and hunger to perform will drive him to succeed. De Villiers warns opponents to be ready, as Kohli will be “hype” and eager to perform. Kohli’s presence and energy are crucial to RCB’s success, and de Villiers believes he’ll lead the team to back-to-back titles. Read more here.

Jasprit Bumrah forces BCCI to…
The BCCI has scrapped the A+ central contract category, and Jasprit Bumrah is at the centre of the decision. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli scaling back, Bumrah was the only obvious candidate left for the top bracket. Instead of retaining it for him, the board removed the category, potentially dropping Bumrah’s earnings from ₹7 crore to ₹5 crore. However, Bumrah remains not just India’s premier fast bowler and but the world’s best all-format player right now. The BCCI is reportedly reconsidering the valuation structure to ensure players like Bumrah aren’t penalised. Read more here.

Test retirement to affect Kohli?
Virat Kohli’s Test retirement may impact his IPL 2026 performance, says Irfan Pathan. Kohli’s strength lies in his timing and running between wickets, which might be affected by limited international cricket. Pathan believes Kohli will adapt, given his past record, but it won’t be easy. Kohli is expected to play an aggressive role for RCB, similar to last season, where he averaged 54.75 and struck at 144.71. Pathan is excited to see Kohli’s approach, hoping he’ll continue his aggressive form and help RCB defend their title. Read more here.
The post DRS Mar 19: KL Rahul’s new update, Ishan Kishan to captain SRH and is Virat Kohli ready for IPL 2026? appeared first on Inside Sport India.
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