Virat Kohli's Legacy: RCB's Path to Back-to-Back IPL Titles
RCB's Admiration for Kohli's Incredible Journey
Bengaluru: Mo Bobat, the director of cricket for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli's astonishing record spanning 18 years. He emphasized that building a championship-winning team is a fitting tribute to the superstar who has dedicated his prime years to the IPL franchise.
Entering the upcoming IPL season as the reigning champions, RCB clinched their first title last year after an 18-year wait.
On the RCB Podcast, Bobat highlighted Kohli's significance to the team, stating, "Virat Kohli will always be the icon and hero of this franchise. His remarkable track record ensures he deserves that status."
Reflecting on Kohli's impressive statistics, Bobat noted, "At one point last season, he was nearing 9,000 runs—18 years in the same jersey, averaging 500 runs per season. That’s extraordinary. While some players might be satisfied with a 500-run season, Kohli has maintained that average for nearly two decades. It’s truly remarkable."
Since 2008, Kohli has been a pivotal figure for RCB, becoming the highest run-scorer in IPL history with over 9,000 runs for a single team, including eight centuries. His standout season was in 2016 when he set a record with 973 runs.
Discussing the importance of surrounding Kohli with a winning team, Bobat remarked, "The best support Andy and I can provide him is to assemble a championship-caliber squad. At this stage in his career, he is eager to continue winning. He thrives on having strong players around him because he is a true competitor."
RCB secured the title under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, who took over from Faf du Plessis before IPL 2025.
Bobat elaborated on the decision-making process regarding the captaincy, stating, "We invested considerable time contemplating this leadership choice. In my career, few decisions have required as much thought as this one, which began the previous season."
He praised Faf du Plessis as a champion leader, acknowledging the strong bond and trust built with him. However, he recognized the need to consider the realities of age and the opportunity presented by the big auction for a reset.
Bobat emphasized the importance of having an Indian captain in an Indian competition, stating, "We felt that having an Indian captain was crucial."
Looking ahead to the new season, Bobat conveyed RCB's ambition for consecutive titles, asserting, "We are not merely defending champions; we are not protecting anything. While we may be the current champions, our mindset is focused on pursuing back-to-back victories."
When discussing long-term leadership, Bobat suggested that Patidar might continue as captain, noting that both he and head coach Andy Flower have consulted Kohli on this matter.
He shared, "Andy and I met Kohli in London shortly after the 2024 season to discuss this. He is always ready to lead and doesn’t need prompting. However, we emphasized that this decision extends beyond just the three of us; it’s about the broader future of RCB as a franchise."
Bobat concluded, "The easy route would have been to ask Virat to step in as captain, but that would only postpone the decision. We cannot rely on him indefinitely. Kohli is perceptive and understood quickly, suggesting we consider other individuals, but he remains willing to step up if needed."