“Felt Like Fantasy Land”: Virat Kohli Recalls Humble IPL Beginnings with RCB in 2008

Kohli Opens Up About His Early Struggles, Meeting Legends, and How His IPL Journey Took Off After a Slow Start

New Delhi, April 9: Virat Kohli, the face of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and one of the IPL’s greatest icons, recently looked back at his debut season in 2008, sharing nostalgic memories of awe, nerves, and growth. Speaking on ‘18 Calling 18’ on JioCinema, the batting legend opened up about stepping into the RCB dressing room filled with Indian cricket royalty.

“The first time I played in the IPL, I was in complete awe,” Kohli said. “Apart from Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh, whom I knew from North Zone days, I hadn’t met anyone else. So, walking into a dressing room with legends like Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid felt like entering fantasy land.”

Kohli made his debut in the IPL’s opening game of the inaugural 2008 season — the match that witnessed Brendon McCullum’s iconic 158 off 73 balls. Kohli, meanwhile, was dismissed for just 1 off 5 balls by Ashok Dinda, marking a humble start to what would become a historic IPL career.

Though his first season ended with 165 runs at an average of 15.00, Kohli says the real challenge was handling the pressure while being aware of his own limitations. “I knew my game wasn’t quite there yet, and that pressure caught up with me. But the experience of being around those legends was unforgettable,” he added.

Kohli also spoke candidly about the struggles in his first three seasons, citing a lack of consistent top-order opportunities. “I was usually sent in lower down the order. It was hard to crack the IPL with limited chances, though I had a few impactful knocks.”

Things began to shift in 2009, he noted, as conditions helped his style. “The pitches suited my game, the ball came onto the bat nicely, and I could play my shots more freely. From 2010 onwards, I started performing more consistently, and by 2011, I was locked in at number three. That’s when my IPL journey truly began.”

Today, Kohli stands as one of the most successful batters in IPL history, loyal to one franchise for 17 straight seasons, and a symbol of RCB’s spirit and evolution.