'It Is Going To Be 20 Years': Virat Kohli Issues First Statement, To Play For RCB Until 2027

Virat Kohli has expressed his desire to continue playing in the Indian Premier League ( IPL ) for at least another three years, aiming to complete 20 years with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The 36-year-old has been retained by RCB for a hefty fee of Rs 21 crore and has said that he wishes to play for the franchise until IPL 2027.

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Virat Kohli expresses desire to play for RCB until 2027

Virat Kohli, who has been playing for RCB since the inception of the IPL in 2008, has accumulated over 8,000 runs in the competition and is the leading run-scorer. He has expressed his gratitude towards the franchise and its fans, stating that he doesn't see himself playing for any other team in the league. Kohli is one of the few players in IPL's history associated with just one team. 

"At the end of this cycle, it is going to be 20 years that I am going to be playing for RCB and that in itself is a very, very special feeling for me. I don't see myself anywhere other than RCB, and I am very happy that it happened," Kohli told 'RCB's Bold Diaries'. 

"I am super excited as ever as everyone knows what RCB means to me. It's been a very, very special relationship over so many years, which continues to grow stronger."

The former RCB captain has also emphasized his goal of winning the elusive IPL title, stating that RCB will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of the championship. "We are going to give it our best shot as always and try to make everyone proud of the way we play our cricket," he said.

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“I am also just looking forward to this cycle. Obviously, the goal is to win the IPL title at least once in the next cycle.”

Apart from Virat Kohli, RCB has also retained Rajat Patidar (Rs 11 crore) and Yash Dayal (Rs 5 crore). RCB will now have the job of building a strong squad and finding a captain at the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. There are rumours that Kohli may take up the captaincy again but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.