May 2, 2025: Ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) highly anticipated clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), star batter Virat Kohli shared a light-hearted moment during a meet-and-greet event, where he named teammates he’d least and most prefer as a roommate.
In a clip shared on RCB’s official X handle, Kohli jokingly called out 20-year-old Swastik Chikara as the one player he would avoid sharing a room with. The reason? “Because he does not leave me alone, so, definitely not him,” Kohli quipped, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Swastik Chikara, who gained attention after scoring a hat-trick of centuries in the 2023 UP T20 League, has become a meme sensation for his ever-present support role around Kohli—often seen carrying drinks or engaging in playful banter with the star.
On a more thoughtful note, Kohli expressed his interest in rooming with wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. “One guy I think is really funny, but he has not opened up with me properly, is Jitesh. I want to see that really fun, raw side of him because I can see it in his eyes; he has that mischief about him,” said Kohli. He praised Sharma’s “street-smart” cricket and his unique approach to the game, adding, “I would like to get to know him more.”
Currently, Kohli is having a stellar season, ranking third among IPL 2025’s highest run-scorers with 443 runs in 10 innings at an average of 63.28 and a strike rate of nearly 139. His consistent form includes six half-centuries, with a best score of 73*.
RCB is in strong form overall, sitting second on the IPL points table with seven wins and three losses. They’re set to face CSK at home this Saturday in a match that could solidify their position in the playoffs.