Virat Kohli Opens Up About His Bond with RCB and Stepping Down from Captaincy
Former Indian cricket team captain and star batter Virat Kohli has shared several key aspects of his career with fans during a recent podcast. He spoke in detail about his long-standing association with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the reasons behind stepping down from captaincy responsibilities. Kohli stated that he made the decision to relinquish the role due to immense pressure and constant scrutiny, emphasizing that he wanted to enjoy the game peacefully.
Virat Kohli, who served as the captain of the Indian team for an extended period and led RCB in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for nearly nine years, said that the burden became overwhelming. “At one point, the pressure on me increased significantly. As a captain and a batter, there were always a lot of expectations from me in every match. The continuous scrutiny and burden of expectations eventually became very difficult. That’s when I decided to step down from captaincy so I could enjoy my game without expectations or judgments,” said Kohli.
Reflecting on the period between 2016 and 2019 when he was in peak form, Kohli recalled receiving offers from other IPL franchises. He said some people even suggested that he switch teams. However, he highlighted that he remained with RCB due to the strong relationship with the franchise management, mutual respect, and above all, the immense love from fans. “No trophy can match the love I received from the fans. That love will stay with me for life,” said Kohli emotionally.
Kohli also spoke about the early days of his international career, crediting then captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten for their support. “I had complete awareness of my capabilities. But it was Dhoni and Kirsten who recognized my determination and my desire to win matches for the team. They trusted me and gave me the opportunity to bat at number three. They used to tell me that my aggression and energy were valuable assets for the team,” Kohli recalled.
Kohli concluded by expressing that, beyond wins and losses, the love and support from fans remain the most important thing to him.