No IPL player is more identified with a franchise than Virat Kohli is with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Having featured in every season of the tournament with RCB since 2008, Kohli is still a one-franchise icon. But in an unfiltered discussion on the recent RCB podcast, he dropped a bombshell — he used to think about joining another team.
Virat Kohli on RCB Podcast: “It Was Really Tough
Talking to Mayanti Langer, Kohli explained how the period between 2016 and 2019 turned into a mentally exhausting period for him. He was captain of Team India as well as RCB during that time, and had the burden of millions of expectations on his shoulders. The pressure of performing as a captain and an opening batsman in each match started affecting him.
Between 2016 and 2019, there were always suggestions that I should think about changing. It became very difficult on me. I never had a moment where the limelight was not on me,” Kohli said.
He conceded that being in the limelight all the time made him feel overwhelmed and confused about how to deal with the pressure. That’s when the thought of quitting RCB momentarily crossed his mind.
Stepping Down from Leadership Roles
Kohli finally resigned as RCB skipper following the IPL 2021 season. Shortly afterwards, he relinquished the T20I captaincy of India too. But again, the refusal of the BCCI to continue split white-ball leadership resulted in him being removed as ODI captain in the latter part of 2021. After his public spat with then BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, Kohli relinquished Test captaincy too following India’s series defeat in South Africa in the early part of 2022.
“I Did Think About Quitting, But”
Despite the pressure, Kohli stayed loyal to RCB. In the podcast, he revealed that while he did think about leaving, he was never truly tempted. The bond he built with the team over more than a decade ultimately meant more than a fresh start elsewhere.
“I asked myself, ‘What is more valuable to me?’ I’ve won a lot for India, but the mutual respect here and the relationship I’ve built with RCB is something I didn’t want to give up,” he said.
Kohli added, “Whether we win or don’t win, this is my home. I want to see it through.”
