Former owner of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, Vijay Mallya has sent across his wishes to the franchise and star batter Virat Kohli as RCB will face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator of the IPL 2024 on May 22 in Ahmedabad.

RCB had quite an amazing tournament this year as they started with only one win first eight matches, but then won their last 6 games on the trot to qualify for the playoffs.

Virat Kohli has starred with the bat for RCB with over 700 runs in 14 matches including one century to his name and a strike rate of over 155.

RCB had bought Virat Kohli for a price of USD 30,000 in a draft for the 2008 IPL after he led India to victory in the 2008 U19 World Cup. The franchise in IPL 2008 had the option to draft U19 players before the auction and Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) had a chance to go for Kohli.

But Delhi opted for Pradeep Sangwan, a left-arm pacer, to beef up their bowling unit, and then RCB bought Kohli.

RCB has failed to win the IPL all these years but has reached the final thrice in 2009, 2011, and 2016. However, despite the highs and the lows, Virat Kohli has remained loyal to the RCB franchise.

In 2008, RCB was co-owned by Vijay Mallya and ahead of the team reaching the playoffs after a remarkable turnaround, Mallya sent his best wishes to the team and Virat.

Mallya posted on X, "When I bid for the RCB franchise and I bid for Virat, my inner instinct told me that I could not have made better choices. My inner instinct tells me that RCB has the best chance to go for the IPL Trophy. Onward and Upward. Best of luck."