Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has retained star batter Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, signaling their unwavering commitment to the talismanic player. In a heartfelt video message posted on social media, Kohli expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from RCB fans and vowed to strive for the elusive IPL title during the next three-year cycle.
“I’m very excited about the chance to create a squad at this auction,” Kohli said. “As a franchise, as a team, we’re looking ahead in this cycle. In the next three years, one of the goals obviously is to win the IPL title at least once. We’re going to give our best shot as always, and I’ll try to make everyone proud with the way we play our cricket.”
Kohli’s retention as the top pick, commanding a salary of INR 21 crore, was an expected move given his long-standing association with the team since the IPL’s inception in 2008. In his video message, Kohli reflected on his journey with RCB, noting that by the end of this new three-year cycle, he will have completed 20 years with the franchise. He described this milestone as a matter of immense pride and a testament to his enduring commitment to the team.
Despite RCB’s lack of an IPL title, Kohli acknowledged the incredible support from the fans, which remains unwavering and is largely attributed to his dedication and performances over the years. Kohli also shared his excitement about the upcoming mega auction, expressing confidence in the RCB management’s ability to make strategic decisions that will bolster the team. He assured fans that the primary goal remains to win the IPL trophy, a dream that has eluded the franchise thus far.
RCB’s decision to retain Kohli, Patidar, and Dayal while releasing key players like Mohammed Siraj and Glenn Maxwell signifies a strategic shift aimed at restructuring the squad. With a substantial auction purse of INR 84 crore and three Right to Match (RTM) cards at their disposal, RCB are well-positioned to make impactful additions to their roster.
Kohli’s video message resonated with fans, reinforcing their hope and anticipation for a successful IPL 2025 season. As RCB heads into the mega auction, the focus will be on assembling a balanced and formidable squad capable of finally clinching the IPL title.
