From chants to challenges: IPL restarts with Virat Kohli mania in Bengaluru

Dubai: It was supposed to be just another practice day. Instead, it turned into a tribute — with fans clogging roads and waving Test whites in honour of Virat Kohli. As the IPL restarts after its India-Pakistan conflict break, the game’s biggest name is back. But just as Kohli returns, a stream of international stars is heading the other way.

RCB, who are in the hunt for a maiden title, have suffered a setback with Josh Hazlewood ruled out due to a shoulder injury. The Australian pacer is expected to be part of his country’s World Test Championship final squad, with the marquee clash against India set for June 11–15 at Lord’s.

Several teams will be weakened in the coming weeks as players from England, Australia and South Africa return home for international commitments. Gujarat Titans have lost a key figure in Jos Buttler, who will leave before the playoffs to be available for England’s home ODI series against the West Indies starting May 29.

This means Ryan Rickelton (MI) will also miss the playoffs. To cover the departures, Mumbai Indians are reportedly in talks with Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson to replace Rickelton and Jacks respectively. Bairstow, unsold in the 2024 mega auction, could return to the IPL if the deal is finalised.

As the IPL restarts, it does so with a mix of celebration and disruption. Kohli’s return has sparked emotional tributes, but the looming exits of foreign stars threaten to reshape the season’s climax. For now, though, Bengaluru prepares for a Saturday night spectacle — a salute to a legend, and a reminder that the show goes on, even if the cast keeps changing.

From playing on the pitch to analysing it from the press box, Satish has spent over three decades living and breathing sport. A cricketer-turned-journalist, he has covered three Cricket World Cups, the 2025 Champions Trophy, countless IPL seasons, F1 races, horse racing classics, and tennis in Dubai. Cricket is his home ground, but he sees himself as an all-rounder - breaking stories, building pages, going live on podcasts, and interviewing legends across every corner of the sporting world. Satish started on the back pages, and earned his way to the front, now leading the sports team at Gulf News, where he has spent 25 years navigating the fast-evolving game of journalism. Whether it’s a Super-Over thriller or a behind-the-scenes story, he aims to bring insight, energy, and a fan’s heart to every piece. Because like sport, journalism is about showing up, learning every day, and giving it everything.

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