Virat Kohli reaches 9000 IPL runs for RCB — A tale of unmatched loyalty and legacy.
Virat Kohli is as loyal to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as their fans are to their team. Kohli has been with RCB for 18 years since the inauguration of this tournament. Now, he has just completed 9000 runs for RCB – a record of most runs scored by any player for a single franchise. This bond between Kohli and RCB looks unshakeable, and may continue for many more years until he calls time on his career. Kohli may even continue as a support staff or mentor of RCB after he retires from IPL as a player. Such a bond of a player with a franchise has not been seen before.
RCB and Kohli: A relationship that defines loyalty
Kohli has told many times that he does not see himself playing for any other franchise than RCB. “To me loyalty matters more than other things which, from the worldly point of view, seem more important. This franchise has believed in me and my commitment is to this franchise till the last day I play the IPL,” Kohli has been quoted as saying.
Heartbreaks but never let go: Kohli’s painful final losses
Virat Kohli has not been part of any winning squad for RCB, but despite that he has continued to play for RCB. He has been through three heartbreaking final losses with RCB. The most painful was the 2016 Indian Premier League final loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 runs. RCB was the most consistent team that season, with captain Kohli leading from the front with the bat, hitting four centuries. He also made the most runs (973) that season – a record that still stands today. For the record, Kohli had led RCB in 143 matches, winning 66, losing 70, three ties and 4 no results. But the IPL title has remained elusive.
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A captain’s legacy: Building the future, not just leading
Kohli has also left his captaincy legacy behind for RCB. Just like he did with India as a captain, he has ensured youngsters flourished in RCB under his leadership. “I’ve tried my best to create a culture here where youngsters could come in and play expressive cricket, play with belief. It’s something I’ve tried to do at the Indian team level as well,” he said.
Any other player would have easily traded his skills with another team that could have guaranteed him an IPL title – a silverware missing from his cabinet. But Kohli continued, hoping to turn the tide one day with RCB, if not with the captain, at least as a player. So, when he gave up captaincy, Kohli didn’t jump into any other franchise and rather resolved to work as a player to help RCB move forward.
After he left RCB captaincy in 2021, Kohli said, “I will continue to give that effort on the field as a player from now on. It’s a great time to regroup, restructure the franchise for the next three years, and bring in people who can take this culture and this franchise to the next level, moving forward.”
No Trophies no transfers: Kolhi’s unshaken resolve
And those words are proving right. RCB have seen youngsters such as Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal and Jitesh Sharma shining up bright for RCB, and the results are showing. Since 2022, RCB have made it to the play-offs three times out of four. And this season, they have done it better by qualifying for Qualifier 1. This is the first time since 2016 IPL, RCB have made it to the top two finish and a spot in Qualifier 1. Now, they have an extra chance to qualify for the final even if they lose Qualifier 1.
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The 12th Man’s spirit: Saluting the loyal RCB fans
A due credit must be given to RCB fans as well. The fans continued their loyal support to RCB for 18 years despite not a single IPL title in their cupboard. And it is these fans that Kohli owes a trophy to, if not for himself. Fans believe in Kohli as the star batter has turned up every season giving his all to win that trophy. “All I can say is that I’ve given my best. I don’t know how the response has been to that, but I can vouch for the fact that I’ve given my 120% to this franchise every year…,” Kohli said. And fans love Kohli for his commitment to the team.
A Lesson in Loyalty: What young cricketers can learn from Kohli
It is this commitment and loyalty that youngsters can learn from. Rather than jumping from one franchise to another in the hope of greener pastures, Virat Kohli has evolved as a player by playing for RCB over 18 years. Young players too can take cue from this aspect of Kohli and grow into a mature player by sticking to one team rather than chasing money, fame and glory with a new franchise every season.
And who says loyalty does not pay? Even if Kohli misses the trophy this season, the love he has for RCB and his fans and vice versa will be irreplaceable.
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