Virat Kohli's Quest for IPL Glory: A Look at His Captains

Virat Kohli, a cricketing icon, continues to chase his first IPL title with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. As he reflects on his illustrious career, we explore the captains who have played pivotal roles in his journey, from Tanmay Srivastava to Suresh Raina. Kohli's leadership record and recent matches under Jitesh Sharma highlight his enduring legacy in the sport. Join us as we delve into the fascinating connections between Kohli and his captains, revealing insights that may surprise fans.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 25, 2025, 09:42 IST

Kohli's IPL Aspirations

Virat Kohli, regarded as one of cricket's modern legends, is still in pursuit of his first Indian Premier League (IPL) title. The recent performances of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have reignited hopes that the coveted trophy might finally be within reach. Following his retirement from Test cricket, an IPL victory would be a fitting capstone to Kohli's illustrious career, especially considering his unwavering support for RCB over 18 seasons.

Kohli's Leadership Record

As the captain of the Indian Test team, Kohli achieved 40 victories, establishing a remarkable benchmark. Under his leadership, India frequently triumphed in overseas Test matches. Since his debut in 2008, he has played under various captains in both the IPL and international formats.

Recent Captaincy Under Jitesh Sharma

Recently, Kohli played under Jitesh Sharma's captaincy during an IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. This brings us to a fascinating look at five cricketers who have had the privilege of captaining Virat Kohli, a list that may surprise many.

Tanmay Srivastava

Before Kohli's rise, Tanmay Srivastava captained the Indian U-19 team for several series. He led India during the 2007 tri-series against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where Kohli was also a member of the squad.

Ayush Badoni

In an unexpected turn of events, Ayush Badoni, who was named Man of the Match, led a Ranji Trophy match against Railways in January. Kohli returned to domestic cricket to maintain his eligibility for the national team. Although he didn't score many runs, Badoni will always cherish the experience of captaining alongside such a cricketing icon.

Piyush Chawla

Prior to Kohli's leadership in the U-19 World Cup in 2008, he played under Piyush Chawla, who frequently captained the U-19 team during 2006 and 2007. Chawla also led a tri-series featuring England and Malaysia with Kohli in the lineup.

Virender Sehwag

Kohli had the opportunity to play under Virender Sehwag in several ODIs and one Test match from 2009 to 2012. Although Sehwag was not the official captain, he led Kohli in the absence of the designated captain. Kohli participated under Sehwag's leadership during the 2012 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and played alongside him in the final Test in Adelaide, where India faced a heavy defeat against Australia.

Suresh Raina

Few may recall that Suresh Raina captained Kohli during India's 2010 tour of Zimbabwe. This tour included an ODI tri-series with Sri Lanka and a two-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. While India struggled in the ODIs, they rebounded to secure a 2-0 victory in the T20Is.