May 6, 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s (RCB) star batter Virat Kohli has revealed the real reason behind his decision to step down as captain during the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Speaking candidly on RCB’s podcast with presenter Mayanti Langer, Kohli explained that the constant pressure from both his captaincy and batting roles had become overwhelming.
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Kohli shared that leading India for seven to eight years and RCB for nine years, combined with the relentless expectations regarding his batting performance, took a toll on him. He noted that he was constantly under the spotlight, whether it was for his leadership or his batting, and this constant scrutiny made it challenging for him to focus on his game.
He admitted that the pressure got too much in the end, which led him to the decision of stepping down. Kohli emphasized the importance of being happy and having space in his life where he could focus on playing cricket without the constant judgment or questioning of his performance.
During his time as captain, Kohli led RCB in 143 matches, with a win percentage of 46.15%. He came closest to winning the IPL in 2016 when RCB reached the final, but they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad despite Kohli’s record-breaking 973 runs that season.
Kohli also reflected on his 18-year-long career with RCB, noting that despite suggestions to move to another franchise, he always chose to stay because of the deep bond and mutual respect he had built with the franchise and its fans. He emphasized that the love he received from RCB fans was far more valuable than any trophy.
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So far in the 2023 season, Kohli has scored 505 runs in 11 games, with an impressive average of 63.13, including seven half-centuries. RCB is currently at the top of the points table with eight wins from 11 matches.