Virat Kohli, the heartbeat of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), recently took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling the surreal moment when he was picked at the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for a modest Rs 20 lakh. As the IPL enters its 18th season, Kohli remains one of the few players to have featured in every edition of the tournament, cementing his status as a T20 icon.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘18 Calling 18‘ show, Kohli painted a vivid picture of his younger self—an up-and-coming cricketer, far from the global superstar he is today. At the time of the auction, he was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, representing India in an Under-19 tournament. ‘The first year was exciting because of the unexpected things happening. We hadn’t played much T20 cricket back then. Franchise cricket was a new concept, allowing us to rub shoulders with international players we looked up to,’ he reminisced.
The auction itself was a whirlwind of emotions for the Delhi-born batter. ‘We were sold as first-class cricketers with a cap of Rs 20 lakh. When we got the news, we went absolutely crazy in the corridor, shouting, “We got Rs 20 lakh!” That was the raw emotion behind it. We had no idea what to expect—the grand opening ceremony, meeting legendary cricketers—it felt surreal,’ Kohli shared. That humble beginning with RCB in 2008 marked the start of a journey that would see him become the highest run-scorer in IPL history, amassing over 7,500 runs as of the 2023 season.
Reflecting on the IPL’s evolution, Kohli expressed awe at how the league has transformed into a global phenomenon. ‘It’s been a long journey—one that we have seen grow, evolve, and become this amazing spectacle. Honestly, when the IPL started, I never imagined it would reach this level. But 18 years and counting, and every season brings the same, if not more, excitement. Massive credit to the league’s organization, the teams, the competitiveness, and the sheer professionalism—it’s top-notch,’ he added.
As RCB gears up for their next blockbuster clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 3, anticipation is at fever pitch. Alongside the CSK vs Mumbai Indians fixture, the RCB-CSK rivalry is among the most electrifying in IPL history, often dubbed the ‘Southern Derby.’ Kohli didn’t shy away from highlighting the intensity of this matchup, especially when played in Bengaluru.
‘I’d say the team we’ve had the most intense games against, historically, is Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru,’ Kohli noted. ‘In Chennai, it’s a sea of yellow with CSK fans everywhere. But playing CSK in Bengaluru is something else. A huge number of Chennai fans travel here, buy tickets early, and take over entire sections of the stadium. That creates an electric atmosphere—the game gets incredibly competitive, and that environment is the most exciting I’ve ever been part of,’ he elaborated. Historical stats back this up: in their last five encounters at Chinnaswamy, matches have often gone down to the wire, with CSK holding a slight edge with 3 wins to RCB’s 2.
As Kohli and RCB prepare to face the defending champions, led by the charismatic MS Dhoni, fans can expect another chapter in this storied rivalry. With Kohli currently in scintillating form, leading the run charts in the 2023 IPL season with over 500 runs at a staggering average, all eyes will be on whether he can inspire RCB to overturn their fortunes against CSK. One thing is certain: when these two teams clash, cricket fans are guaranteed a spectacle of passion, drama, and unparalleled excitement.