“Had packed my bags in April itself”: Virat Kohli

Star Indian and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli expressed amazement at his franchise’s playoff contention, admitting he had “packed his bags” in April due to RCB’s poor performance in the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

RCB will face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a crucial match on Saturday in Bengaluru. With RCB sitting in seventh place with six wins, seven losses, and 12 points, and CSK in fourth place with seven wins, six losses, and 14 points, this knockout match will determine which team joins Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the playoffs.

RCB had a dreadful start to their season, securing only one win in their first eight games. However, the month of May saw a remarkable turnaround for the Red and Gold franchise, as they won five consecutive games to stay in the playoff race.

Speaking to JioCinema about RCB’s struggles, Kohli said, “I had packed my bags in April itself, thinking there was no chance of us qualifying. See where we are standing now. It is amazing how this game can turn, and what is the explanation for that? There is no explanation.”

“You are playing instinctively, having fun, and you have come to this situation. One should never assume that something else is going to happen,” he added.

Discussing his loyalty to RCB, a franchise he has been with since the league’s inception in 2008, Kohli noted that such longevity with a team is rare for a player and a privilege not everyone experiences.

“Things that are special are the connection you have with the fans, the franchise, or your camaraderie with the players. Experiencing these things for such a long time is special in itself. Not everyone gets this. There is always a chance of the franchise not retaining you, or you asking for your release,” he said.