KOHLI FOREVER: Virat Kohli is part and parcel of RCB as records keep tumbling

At a time when younger players are making a forceful impact in the IPL 2025, there is still room for an old warhorse like Virat Kohli. Easily the most recognisable face of RCB – Royal Challengers Bengaluru –devoted Kohli has shown this season he is there as a marquee player and also as someone willing to play second fiddle. At a time when there is so much emphasis being laid on not losing wickets in Power Play, or batting deep, Kohli has created a new template. He is not trying to hog the limelight nor is he attempting to showcase himself as the face of RCB by way of scoring fast.

It is well-known, just as MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings are a fusion forever, Kohli and RCB are also inseparable. At least, when bad days had hit CSK during the infamous day of betting and spot fixing in the IPL, CSK had been banned (2015 to2017). Dhoni had to move to another team, almost, as if, created for the IPL to fill up the slot created by the ban on CSK. Dhoni represented Rising Pune Super Giants. When CSK came back to the IPL in 2018, they did win the title again, as if to wash away sins of the past.

Contrast this with Virat Kohli, he has stuck around with RCB from the first year, in 2008. The romance between the former India captain and the Bengaluru-based team is born not just out of commerce but a mutual respect. Two players who have enjoyed being with the RCB are Kohli and current guide Dinesh Karthik. RCB are yet to win an IPL title but their fan base and social media presence in massive.

When the side had to take call on who will lead in 2025, tongues wagged, as if Kohli would again return as captain. Those who know Kohli will vouch, he does not need a leadership role at RCB, officially. He has placed himself as a mentor and a performing player for the team. And results are there to see this season. For those who are still critical of RCB as they are yet to win an IPL title, RCB players, the management and all associated with it have no such problems. The team will stay intact with a massive brand value. Kohli, of course, is an important asset in it.

Sample the scores he has produced in the IPL 2025: 59 against KKR, 31 against CSK, 7 against GT, 67 against MI, 22 against DC and 62 on Sunday against Rajasthan Royals. Uniquely, Kohli has done whatever best he can. He has not tried to grab headlines and score at break-neck speed. For that, he has Phil Salt to take care as opener. On Sunday, Salt peppered the weak Rajasthan Royals attack with vengeance. Kohli is happy to bat deep. And if records are set along the way, they are merely coincidental for Virat Kohli.

A recent stat was put out on social media where Kohli has scored 282 sixes in 250 innings in the IPL. This is in comparison to 283 sixes from Rohit Sharma in 257 innings. Another bit of stats is how Kohli has 100 fifties in T20 cricket, which includes IPL and internationals. Add to it 51 hundreds in ODIs and 30 centuries in Tests. For fans, Kohli is GOAT -- Greatest Of All Time for many.

Uniquely, at 36 years of age, Kohli keeps challenging himself to perform. The IPL is not easy at all. Just after the Champions Trophy, there was a short break for Kohli. He spent time with the family and got back to RCB and be with the team. He had chosen Rajat Patidar as captain of the team and is involved in mentoring and guiding. It comes naturally to Kohli, perhaps, simply by having led India in all formats at one point of time. For those who will be tempted to compare Kohli and Dhoni, don’t make that mistake. In the IPL, Dhoni has a record worth weight in gold, even though CSK have not done well in IPL 2025.

On a macro scale comparison, it is well-known, Dhoni had passed on many leadership skills to Kohli. That Kohli himself is sharing so much with RCB and the boys is a positive sign. Such things cannot be valued. That is why ‘Kohli forever’ is the RCB mantra.