After a wait spanning nearly two decades, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finally clinched the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. For Virat Kohli, this victory represents more than just a team success; it marks the culmination of his career trajectory that began back in 2008. Back then, Kohli was a spirited young batsman who has since evolved into a cricket icon. His journey with RCB has been a saga of growth, challenges, and triumphs.
Former RCB pacer Varun Aaron captured Kohli’s essence speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, acknowledging his pivotal role: “He [Kohli] has been the king of the castle in RCB for 18 years.” Aaron reflected on Kohli’s relentless drive to win, saying, “At the end of the day, if they haven’t won a trophy, the first person they’re going to look at is Virat Kohli. And Virat Kohli, he loves to win. He can’t take second as even an option. So this is huge for him.”
Tom Moody also reflected on Kohli’s journey, highlighting his deep connection with the franchise: “His cricketing career was nearly born at RCB.” Kohli’s investment in the team, from a young prospect to a seasoned player, has made this victory particularly special. Moody added, “It’s nearly like the young Virat Kohli coming out of him, just celebrating and rejoicing in an emotional way.”
Indeed, Kohli’s career is deeply intertwined with RCB’s fortunes. Across his career, Kohli has amassed an impressive 8,661 runs from 259 innings, boasting a strike rate of 132.85 and an average of 39.54, making him the leading run-scorer in IPL history. His captaincy tenure, which began in 2011, saw him lead the team in 143 matches, underlining his significant influence on the team’s journey. His 973-run haul in the 2016 season, despite losing the final to Sunrisers Hyderabad, remains a pinnacle in IPL annals.
Aaron’s sentiments echo the admiration and expectations from fans: “The biggest Indian player after Sachin Tendulkar, I would say, who’s played day in day out for 18 years, he’s hardly ever missed matches, he’s hardly ever missed IPLs,” expressing that enduring commitment gives fans a reason to root for him.
While RCB provided Kohli with a platform to shine, it’s evident that he has reciprocated with unwavering dedication and passion. As Aaron succinctly put it, “RCB has had its role in making Virat, but Virat has also made the franchise.”
