Kohli has been a part of the RCB set-up ever since the inception of the IPL in 2008.
Apart from dominating international cricket in the last decade, former India skipper Virat Kohli has also left a huge mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has been a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) set-up ever since the inception of the IPL in 2008.
Kohli holds the record for most number of runs in the cash-rich tournament (6283) and also most runs in a single IPL edition (973 runs in 2016). He also has the second-most number of centuries (5) to his name after Chris Gayle (6).
While Virat has come a long way in his journey with the RCB franchise, things didn't always go as per his wish at the start.
Speaking on the RCB podcast, Kohli said he was not pleased when the franchise decided to take him to the airport in an 'Omni Van' while all the other players were travelling in decent cars.
"After the season, because I was an Under-19 boy, I was sent to the airport in an Omni van. Everyone else was getting a decent car to go, and I was the only one that was left, and they probably would have said just give him anything and just get him to the airport."
"And that was not a good car, I'm sorry to say, but I would have loved at least a decent car which was not broken, something through which I could see the road, this one was on its last leg. So, not a good memory," said the former RCB skipper.
In the inaugural edition of the IPL, RCB opened with the duo of Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis while Kohli batted at No. 5. However, Kohli proved his worth with time and eventually became a No. 3 batter in the side.
Recalling his interaction with some of the star players back then, Virat said that he was quite awestruck to be surrounded by such quality players.
"It was an amazing atmosphere; there was a proper ramp and who's who of Bangalore and all. Everyone was excited to see the players. I remember walking into the room and meeting Zak and PK and these guys at the formal team launch, and it was just surreal."
"I was just sitting there, and I felt so timid; I was actually taken aback by the fact that I was in the same room with these guys; they made me feel comfortable very quickly. From there on, our friendship and camaraderie grew," he said.
Notably, Virat Kohli has been retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ahead of the IPL 2022 mega-auction. He had stepped down as captain after the second phase of IPL 2021 and will be seen in action as a player moving forward.