Amidst the intense competition and high stakes of the Indian Premier League (IPL), one of the sport’s most outstanding figures, Virat Kohli, stands as a testament to loyalty and integrity. Even as the IPL championship has eluded him throughout his illustrious career, Kohli, a cricketing luminary, has consistently led the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with an unwavering commitment.
Virat Kohli’s journey with RCB is notable for more than just his on-field prowess; it’s underscored by a profound sense of allegiance to the franchise that showed faith in him early in his career. In a candid conversation with RCB in 2022, Kohli opened up about the tempting offers from other franchises over the years, inviting him to join the auction pool—proposals that might have led him to that elusive IPL trophy with a different team.
“To be very honest, I thought about it,” Kohli admitted without reservation. Despite the allure, Kohli’s dedication to the Bengaluru-based franchise remained resolute. His reasoning transcends the boundaries of sport, delving into life’s deeper philosophies. “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.’ It’s like if you are a good person, people like you; if you’re a bad guy, they just stay away from you, and eventually, that’s what life is all about,” Kohli elucidated on the depth of his decision to remain with RCB.
For Kohli, his relationship with RCB isn’t simply about cricket—it’s a principle that mirrors the path he follows in life. The appreciation for the trust RCB placed in him during the nascent phase of his career far outweighs the transient glory of lifting the IPL trophy with another team. “What this franchise has given me in terms of opportunities in the first three years and believed in me, that is the most special thing because as I said, there are many teams who had the opportunity, but they didn’t back me, they didn’t believe in me,” Kohli reflected.
His tenure at RCB can’t be characterized by the ‘buts’—the trophy he hasn’t won, much like the criticism he faced for not winning in England until the 2018 tour. Kohli’s success speaks volumes, and his connection to RCB transcends any such shortcomings. “So now when I am successful, I shouldn’t fall to the opinion of people saying ‘but’ the IPL,” he stated, emphasizing that his achievements stand independently of the often-cited gaps in his cricketing resume.
Further personalizing his decision-making process, Kohli shared that in matters of such magnitude, the only opinion that holds weight for him is that of his wife, actress Anushka Sharma. To them, there will always be ‘buts,’ conditions or reservations people may have, but ultimately, living life authentically is what truly matters. “You literally can’t live your life like that, and I just carry out doing my own things, and I actually honestly don’t even bother about a third person beyond myself and Anushka discussing things. For me, nothing else or no one else’s opinion matters at all,” Kohli shared, reinforcing the intimate and self-contained nature of their life’s decisions.
Virat Kohli’s commitment to RCB is not just a career choice, but a manifestation of his life’s philosophy. Despite not holding the IPL trophy in his list of achievements, Kohli’s fidelity to RCB intertwines his sporting legacy with the virtues of loyalty and personal integrity, setting an example that transcends the cricket pitch. It is in this narrative, beyond scores and records, where the indelible spirit of Virat Kohli at RCB will be remembered, celebrated, and arguably, revered.