Virat Kohli mulled leaving Royal Challengers Bangalore; RCB legend admits

In the history of IPL, many big players have been traded by different franchises. Recently Hardik Pandya who shifted to Gujarat Titans two seasons ago was roped back by Mumbai Indians. Likewise, there are few players who stood by the same franchise since they started playing IPL.

Virat Kohli , the former Indian captain is one such player who has been with RCB since he started his IPL journey despite the fact RCB has never won the tournament even a single time. Recently when he was asked whether he ever contemplated leaving Royal Challengers Bangalore, the leading Indian batsman said that the thought did come to his mind.

Virat Kohli with RCB ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ANHCXBB8pn

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) November 25, 2023

Talking to Crictoday, the star player said, “To be very honest I thought about it. Yes, I won’t shy away from it and I have been approached many times as well to come into the auction somehow, put my name there and stuff.”

Virat Kohli generalised his intention behind staying with RCB by saying, “And then I thought about it, I was like at the end of the day everyone has X numbers of years that they live and then you die and life moves on. There would have been many great people who won trophies but no one addresses you like that. No one addresses you in the room like ‘Oh he’s an IPL champion or he’s a World Cup champion,”

Virat took this opportunity to share about his bond with the franchise and how he has been given multiple fruitful opportunities by RCB. The 35-year-old also said what RCB has given him in terms of opportunities in the first three years and the special thing is that they believed in him.

Players who have represented a single franchise in all the 16 years of the #IPL:
1) Virat Kohli
End of List.

As we start preparing for the 17th season, we can’t wait to create more special memories from King Kohli in the Red and Gold! 👑❤️‍🔥#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2024… pic.twitter.com/fFTFTmg5Tb

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 27, 2023

Kohli said that there were many teams who had the opportunity to take him but they did not back me or support him. And now it seems Virat Kohli is doing the right thing by staying with the franchise that supported him when he was not such a big cricketer.