Former RCB skipper Virat Kohli will be celebrating 15 years with Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2023, Kohli has been an integral part of the Bangalore based-franchise since 2008 and remains the only player to play for a single franchise for this many years.
The right-handed batter has been a vital cog for the Royal Challengers Bangalore with Virat Kohli completing 15 years and entering the 16th edition of IPL with Bangalore, Star Sports the broadcast partner of IPL 2023, celebrated a show where former cricketers spoke about his long career in RCB colours.
Speaking about his commitment to the Bangalore side, RCB head coach Sanjay Bangar recalled the memories of the 2016 season when Kohli played a match against Punjab Kings with stitches in hand.
“I remember a match, probably that was against Kings XI Punjab, where he played with stitches in hand and got a 100 in a 15-over match. That is phenomenal,” Sanjay Bangar said.
Kohli had a phenomenal 2016 season where he slammed 973 runs from 16 innings at an average of 81.08 taking the franchise to the final before losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016.
RCB is one of the only three sides who are playing in the league since the inaugural season and are yet to win it. Royal Challengers Bangalore has been one of the most consistent sides in the last three years reaching the playoffs but being unable to get through the final hurdle.
Will Virat Kohli Change The Fortunes For RCB In IPL 2023?
Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli did not perform well for Royal Challengers Bangalore as expected last year where he managed a modest 341 runs at an underwhelming average of 22.73 and a modest strike rate of 115.98. With the form on his side, the former RCB skipper would be keen to make the most of it in IPL 2023.
Virat Kohli received a huge cheer upon joining Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) first practice session for IPL 2023. RCB conducted their full-fledged practice session on Sunday (March 26) during the “unbox” event at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Bangalore-based franchise will miss their star players Rajat Patidar, Josh Hazelwood, and Wanindu Hasaranga for the initial few games.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be looking to end their long wait for their maiden IPL trophy in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) under the leadership of Faf Du Plessis. RCB will open their campaign in IPL 2023 on April 2 when they will lock horns against Mumbai Indians.