Former Royal Challengers Bangalore owner Vijay Mallya has lauded his decision to acquire Virat Kohli for the franchise ahead of the inaugural IPL season in 2008, highlighting Kohli’s pivotal role in RCB’s recent resurgence.
Despite a challenging start to IPL 2024, where RCB won just one of their first eight matches, including six consecutive defeats, they managed a remarkable turnaround, securing six consecutive victories to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Kohli’s exceptional performance has been instrumental in RCB’s resurgence, amassing 708 runs from 14 matches at a striking rate of 155, including five half centuries and one century.
Reflecting on his decision to draft a young Kohli, who had previously captained India to the Under-19 World Cup title, Mallya recalled acquiring him for $30,000 in the 2008 Under-19 draft.
Kohli’s longstanding association with RCB is note worthy, as he remains the only player to have represented a single team for 16 consecutive IPL seasons. His stellar contributions have solidified his position as the highest run-scorer in IPL history, amassing 7,971 runs from 251 matches, including eight centuries and 55 half-centuries.
Expressing confidence in RCB’s prospects, Mallya conveyed his belief that the franchise has a strong chance to clinch the IPL Trophy, wishing them the best of luck for the remainder of the tournament.
Additionally, Mallya extended heartfelt congratulations to RCB for securing a spot in the top four and qualifying for the IPL playoffs. He commended the team’s resilience and skill in turning around their season after a challenging start, expressing optimism for their continued success on their quest for the coveted trophy.
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