Virat Kohli joined RCB in 2008, and since then has scored over 8000 runs for the franchise, in 252 matches, at an average of 38.
RCB, this year, has been a picture of contrasting emotions. On one hand, it was the celebratory Virat Kohli, who was misty-eyed as Bengaluru beat CSK in the last league match of IPL 2024, to make it to the playoffs. And on the other, it was a somber Kohli, who couldn’t believe that his team lost the Eliminator 1 after a mediocre performance against RR on Wednesday.
It has been 17 years, and Virat Kohli just hasn’t managed to lift the trophy, despite leaving no stone unturned. He has been excellent with the bat in each of these seasons, led the team well in most; and if a season hasn’t gone well for RCB, Kohli and the team have only come back stronger. Only to fail in the playoffs. Now, the million dollar question that arises is, what should Kohli do to end title drought?
Well, why not? He has already spent 17 years at this franchise and his loyalty can never be questioned. There are some cases where players never leave their franchise, but the only difference is, they win there. For e.g., MS Dhoni, who has won multiple trophies with the CSK, Rohit Sharma now, who has won five trophies with MI.
So, given that IPL 2025 is going to be a mega auction year, Kohli should seriously consider a switch. After all, the legend of Indian cricket deserves at least one IPL trophy in his cabinet.
Which Teams Could be Interested in Bagging Kohli?
The answer to this is, all. Who wouldn’t want Virat Kohli their team. But speaking logically, it is two teams who need his services the most and they are struggling DC and PBKS. While Delhi under Rishabh Pant was okayish, they need a solid opener and someone who can be a mentor in the team.
Likewise, Punjab don’t have a set opening combination. No one knowns if Shikhar Dhawan will play again, or be picked, so Kohli can be a solid option. In fact, he could be their new captain too, if the management do bag him.
Don’t Worry, Kohli Will Stick to RCB
For all you know, Kohli decides to never end his association with the franchise. 17 years is a long time, and RCB is just an extended family to the batter. So it will be difficult for him to leave, or for RCB, not to retain him. And at some level everyone realises, that a switch will never happen. In fact, last year during an interview, he had said as much.
“It’s like if you’re a good person, people like you and if you’re a bad guy, they stay away from you and eventually that’s what life is all about so for me the understanding that the loyalty with RCB is like how I follow my life is far greater for me than the fact that yes five people in the room would say, ‘Oh finally you’ve won the IPL with whoever XYZ and yeah you feel good for five minutes but then the sixth minute you could be miserable with some other issue in life, so it is not the end of the world for me’,” he explained.
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