UPT20 League: Abhinandan Singh Credits Virat Kohli and RCB Experience Following Four-Wicket Haul

Lucknow Falcons fast bowler Abhinandan Singh has attributed his technical improvement and professional discipline to the mentorship of Virat Kohli and his overall stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore. The right-arm seamer made these remarks after putting in a match-winning display in Match No. 6 of the UPT20 League 2026.

What Happened

On August 17, Abhinandan produced an impressive bowling spell at the Ekana Stadium, taking four wickets for 30 runs against Noida Kings. His bowling helped Lucknow Falcons secure a three-wicket victory, earning him the Player of the Match honours.

Following the performance, Abhinandan spoke in a press release issued by the Lucknow Falcons about the impact senior players and support staff at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had on his development. He specifically credited former India captain Virat Kohli for offering direct guidance on his bowling craft.

“Virat bhaiya really motivated me, especially just talking to me about what I could do better, how I could improve further,” Abhinandan stated in the release. The Uttar Pradesh seamer also reflected on his recent path to form, noting he had dealt with an injury in the previous year before making his IPL appearances and returning to competitive cricket well-prepared.

Key Highlights

• Match-Winning Spell: Abhinandan claimed 4 for 30 for Lucknow Falcons against Noida Kings, securing the Player of the Match award in the UPT20 League.
• IPL Background: The pacer joined RCB ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League season and made his debut in the competition during the 2026 season against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
• Elite Dressing Room: During his time with RCB, which won consecutive IPL titles in 2025 and 2026, he shared the squad with experienced international seamers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
• Learning Curve: In the 2026 IPL season, Abhinandan played three matches, claiming three wickets while registering an economy rate of 12.62.
• Coaching Influence: Abhinandan credited RCB’s coaching staff alongside Kohli for shaping his perspective on match discipline and game awareness.

Why This Matters

Exposure to an international-standard setup at franchise level plays a key role in the progression of domestic cricketers. According to Abhinandan, the environment at RCB—competing for squad selection alongside seasoned bowlers such as Hazlewood and Kumar, and receiving input from coaches and senior figures like Kohli—directly contributed to his mindset and preparation for domestic competitions like the UPT20 League.

What to Watch Next

Having overcome injury issues from last year and gained exposure through three IPL appearances, Abhinandan will aim to use the remainder of the UPT20 League campaign to build consistency and work toward a stronger upcoming season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were Abhinandan Singh’s bowling figures in the UPT20 match?

Abhinandan took four wickets for 30 runs against Noida Kings at the Ekana Stadium, helping Lucknow Falcons win by three wickets.

When did Abhinandan Singh make his IPL debut?

After joining Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the 2025 season, Abhinandan made his IPL debut in the 2026 tournament against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

What did Abhinandan say about Virat Kohli’s mentorship?

Abhinandan shared that Kohli motivated him by discussing actionable areas where he could improve his bowling craft and progress further as a cricketer.

Source: Lucknow Falcons press release via CricTracker.