“I’m always gonna be here” – Virat Kohli pledges not to play for any franchise other than RCB in IPL

Royal Challengers Bengaluru talisman batter Virat Kohli has promised not to play for any other franchise in the Indian Premier League. Kohli has been associated with RCB since the inception of the IPL in 2008 and has performed consistently for the franchise.

Kohli received a huge reception at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli scored 639 runs for the franchise in the previous season but the team failed to qualify for the playoffs as they finished in sixth place with seven wins and as many losses.

Kohli has amassed 7263 runs in 237 IPL matches at an average of 37.25 and a strike rate of 130.02, including seven centuries and he is the highest run-getter in the history of the tournament.

Kohli said on RCB’s unbox event, “As everyone knows, I’m always gonna be here, try to be part of the group that wins it (IPL) for the first time… I will try my absolute best for the fans, for the franchise… its kind of a dream of mine as well over so many years, to know what it feels like to win the IPL.”

Meanwhile, Kohli will return to action after missing the five-match Test series against England due to a personal reason. The talisman is happy to be back and is looking forward to the IPL.

“It’s really good to be back, firstly playing cricket and just starting off the IPL. It’s always exciting to come back to Bangalore for the start of the IPL season. So, similar emotions, similar feelings and I haven’t been off the media radar. I have been into the normalcy, you can say, for two months. So, yeah, I am pretty happy and excited to be back and I hope all the fans are excited and happy as well.”

RCB has qualified for the final of the IPL on three occasions but has failed to go all the way.

IPL 2024 will begin on March 22 with RCB taking on defending champions CSK at Chennai.