Bengaluru, March 18 -- South African batting great AB de Villiers has underlined the enduring influence of talisman Virat Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru(RCB), describing him as the driving force behind the defending champions' identity and success, both on and off the field.

As RCB prepare to begin their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, expectations remain high following their historic title-winning run in 2025.

Speaking about Kohli's role within the setup, de Villiers emphasised that his impact extends far beyond runs on the board, highlighting the energy and belief he instils within the squad, particularly among younger players.

"Virat definite...