Virat Kohli motivated me and helped me improve, says RCB pacer Abhinandan Singh

Abhinandan Singh delivered a match-winning performance for Lucknow Falcons in the UPT20 League 2026 on August 17. The RCB pacer took four wickets for 30 runs against Noida Kings at Ekana Stadium, earning the Player of the Match award as Lucknow won by three wickets in Match No. 6 of the tournament.

Abhinandan joined Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ahead of the 2025 IPL season and made his debut in the cash-rich league during the 2026 campaign in a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. At RCB, he played alongside experienced fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, gaining exposure to international-standard cricket and coaching methods.

RCB lifted the coveted IPL title in both 2025 and 2026, providing Abhinandan with a winning environment during his early career at the franchise. The right-arm seamer recently lauded Virat Kohli for mentoring him and helping him improve his craft.

"Virat bhaiya really motivated me, especially just talking to me about what I could do better, how I could improve further," Abhinandan said in a press release from the Lucknow Falcons.

How Virat Kohli's mentorship shaped Abhinandan Singh

Abhinandan's time at RCB extended beyond Kohli's direct mentorship, as he worked closely with the coaching staff and senior bowlers throughout the 2026 IPL season. His progression through the squad reflected the competitive environment at the franchise, where he earned selection in the playing XI after initial appearances.

"All the coaches worked with me a lot during that time too. Then I made it back into the 16-member squad, and it was just a really good experience overall. A lot of what I think about the game now, the discipline I have today... I learned all of that from my IPL experience," Abhinandan said.

"I'm very happy with today's performance. Looking at the last three seasons... I was injured last year, then I played in the IPL this year, and now I've come here. This time, I just came well prepared and tried to keep things as simple as possible," the Uttar Pradesh seamer stated.

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Abhinandan played three games this season in the IPL and picked up as many wickets. However, he had an economy rate of 12.62. He will look to learn from his experience and have a stronger campaign next year.