RCB illegally playing with 5 overseas players? Virat Kohli's surprising response amid IPL 2026

Did the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) play with 5 foreign players against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their opening match of the ongoing IPL 2026? The question was asked to Virat Kohli ahead of RCB’s next match, which will be against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. 

A maximum of 4 foreign players are allowed in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match per team, both in the starting XI and overall, following the 2026 rules. While a team can have up to eight overseas players in their total squad, only four can be fielded, even with the Impact Player rule.

Why are people saying RCB is playing with 5 overseas players in IPL 2025?

Then why are some fans saying that RCB is using 5 overseas players, which is not legal as per the rules? Actually, this is about Virat Kohli, who has shifted his base from Delhi to London after retiring from T20I and Tests.

In his free time, when there are no matches to play, Kohli goes back to London and stays there. He returns to India a few days before the matches. He follows the same pattern whether it is a domestic or international assignment.

As Virat Kohli has the desire to completely settle down in the UK, some of the fans have taken a dig at the batting maestro. Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, Kohli joined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp, returning from London. So, with a sense of humor, fans on social media platforms have counted Kohli in the foreign players quota of RCB.

Read More: Trouble for PBKS as captain Shreyas Iyer fined for major offence during CSK vs PBKS IPL 2026 clash

Virat Kohli responded to the 5 overseas players' dig

In a video with RCB, Kohli responded to the chatter as host Danish Sait, in his popular Mr Nags avatar, mentioned that some fans have claimed that RCB is playing with five overseas players.

“People are saying RCB are playing five overseas players, I am not understanding what they are saying actually,” he said.

In response, the Indian batting star said he did not know the matter, as he is not an overseas cricketer. He suggested the host ask this of the actual foreign players of the team.  

“I don't know, why are you asking me? Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player. Am I an overseas player?” Virat Kohli replied.

Kohli explained how he achieved success in the game

Over the years, the former Team India skipper established himself as one of the most impactful and influential players across the globe. Through hard work and maintaining a strict routine and practice, the Delhi-born has succeeded in every format of the game.  

“Victory is the accumulation of hard work, all the sacrifices you’ve made, to be committed to the sport. It all comes together as a form of assurance, a reward, to know that you haven’t wasted your time. A lot of people learn from losses, but a lot of people can get very disheartened as well. So when you win after a lot of hard work, it makes you feel a sense of justice for the work that you put in, and also gives you motivation to work harder,” he said about his hard work to achieve success in 22 yards.