Tag: RCB

Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has responded with humour to the viral chatter labelling him as an “overseas player” for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

The light-hearted debate gained traction among fans due to Kohli’s increased time spent in London with his family in recent years, leading to jokes that RCB are effectively fielding an extra overseas player.

Despite scaling down his international commitments, having stepped away from Tests and T20Is and now featuring only in ODIs, the former India captain continues to remain a central figure for his franchise.

Addressing the speculation in a video shared by RCB, Kohli was quizzed by content creator Danish Sait, known for his popular ‘Mr. Nags’ persona.

The host referenced fan claims about RCB playing with “five overseas players,” prompting a witty response from Kohli.

“I don’t know why you’re asking me. Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player,” Virat Kohli said with a laugh, before playfully turning the question back, “Am I an overseas player?”

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The 37-year-old began the ongoing IPL season in commanding fashion, scoring an unbeaten 69 to guide RCB to victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening fixture as defending champions.

Reflecting on last season’s long-awaited title triumph, Kohli admitted the victory brought a sense of relief after years of near misses with the franchise he has represented since the league’s inception.

“That night, I really felt what it means. Everything became light,” he said, describing the emotional weight lifted after finally securing the title.

He also offered insight into his mindset around success and failure, emphasising the importance of perseverance.

“Victory is the accumulation of hard work, all the sacrifices you’ve made, to be committed to the sport. It all comes together as a form of assurance, a reward, to know that you haven’t wasted your time,” Kohli added.

“A lot of people learn from losses, but a lot of people can get very disheartened as well. So when you win after a lot of hard work, it makes you feel a sense of justice for the work that you put in, and also gives you motivation to work harder.”

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Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has hinted at a possible return to the Indian Premier League (IPL), though in a non-playing capacity, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The 41-year-old, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2021, expressed his willingness to take up a coaching or mentoring role with his former franchise team in the future.

While ruling out a full-fledged professional comeback, de Villiers admitted that his connection with RCB remains unshakable.

“I might be involved with the IPL again in the future in a different role, but committing to a full season in a professional capacity is really tricky, and I believe those days are done,” he said.

“That said, you never say never. My heart is with RCB and always will be. So, if the franchise feels there’s a role for me, when my time is right and ready, it will definitely be RCB.”

Having represented the franchise for over a decade, AB de Villiers remains one of the most celebrated figures in IPL history.

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He began his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008 before moving to RCB in 2011, where he went on to play 157 matches.

He scored 4,522 runs at an average of 41.10 and an explosive strike rate of 158.33, including two centuries and 37 half-centuries.

One of his most memorable campaigns came in 2016 when he smashed 687 runs and combined with Virat Kohli for a record 229-run stand against Gujarat Lions, still the highest-ever partnership for the second wicket in IPL history.

Overall, de Villiers featured in 184 IPL matches across two franchises, scoring 5,162 runs at a strike rate of 151.68 with three centuries and 40 fifties.

In recognition of his impact, RCB inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2022 alongside Chris Gayle.

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Star batter Virat Kohli said he was lost for words after celebrations of a dream IPL title of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) turned to tragedy when 11 mainly young cricket fans were crushed to death in their home city.

Hundreds of thousands had packed the streets in Bengaluru on Wednesday to welcome home their hero Kohli and the RCB team after they had beaten Punjab Kings (PBKS) a day earlier in a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) final.

But the euphoria of the vast crowds in the southern tech city of Bengaluru ended in disaster, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it “absolutely heartrending”.

Karnataka state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said most of the 11 dead were young people, and there were 47 others injured in the crush after a stampede near the city’s M. Chinnaswamy cricket stadium, where the players were parading the trophy for fans.

Kohli, who top-scored in the final, said earlier it had been “as much for the fans” after the 36-year-old finally celebrated winning the IPL at his 18th attempt.

Later, Virat Kohli wrote on social media: “At a loss for words.

“Absolutely gutted,” he added, alongside a statement from the RCB team saying they were “deeply anguished” at what had unfolded.

One of the people injured described to AFP how a “huge crowd” had crushed her.

“They stamped on me,” said the woman, who did not give her name, from a wheelchair. “I was not able to breathe. I fell unconscious.”

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Most of the dead were young fans who had gone out just to catch a glimpse of their sporting heroes.

Street food vendor Manoj Kumar mourned the death of his 18-year-old son, killed in the stampede, who he said he had stopped from working on his stall so he could study.

“I wanted him to go to college,” Kumar told the Indian Express newspaper. “I brought him up with a lot of care. Now, he is gone.”

A grieving mother outside a city mortuary said her 22-year-old engineering student son had also died in the crush.

“He was crazy about RCB,” she was quoted as saying by the Indian Express on Thursday. “He died in an RCB shirt. They danced when RCB won, and now he is gone. Can RCB give him back to us?”

Authorities had already called off RCB’s proposed open-top bus victory parade through the streets after anticipating vast crowds. But organisers pressed ahead with the welcome ceremony and celebrations inside the stadium.

RCB’s social media account posted a video of cheering crowds lining the streets as the players waved back from their team bus on their way to the stadium.

The team said they cut short the celebrations “immediately upon being made aware of the situation”.

Siddaramaiah said that the stadium had a capacity of “only 35,000 people, but 200,000-300,000 people came”.

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AHMEDABAD: Star batter Virat Kohli couldn’t hold back tears as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended their 18-year-long title drought, clinching their first-ever IPL trophy with a tense six-run win over Punjab Kings.

RCB were put into bat and posted 190/9, with Kohli top-scoring with a 35-ball 43, a knock that drew some criticism for its tempo, but proved crucial in the end.

The innings also featured some fireworks from the lower order, helping RCB post a competitive total.

Punjab Kings made a solid start in the chase, but the tide turned during the middle overs, thanks to Krunal Pandya’s miserly spell of 2/17.

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The pressure mounted steadily, and though the Kings fought till the end, the target eventually proved out of reach.

With 29 runs required off the last four balls, the result was all but sealed. And for Virat Kohli, who had carried the burden of expectation for so many years, the moment broke him.

As the final ball of IPL 2025 was launched for a consolation six, Kohli collapsed to the ground, overcome with emotion.

Teammates rushed in to celebrate, but for him, it was the release of years of heartbreak, loyalty, and unwavering belief in the franchise.

“I’ve given this team my youth, prime and experience,” said a visibly emotional Kohli after the match.

“I’ve tried to win it every season, and gave it everything I have. To finally have it is an unbelievable feeling. I was overcome with emotion after the last ball. Gave each and every ounce of my energy, and it’s an amazing feeling.”

Having featured in three IPL finals previously without success, this win marked the end of a long, painful wait, both for Kohli and the RCB fans.

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Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli etched his name in the record books once again, becoming the first Asian and overall second cricketer to score 100 half-centuries in T20 cricket.

The right-hander batter reached the milestone in his 405th T20, scoring 62* off 45 balls, leading his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Benglaluru to a comfortable victory against Rajistan Royals.

Virat Kohli reached the milestone in style with a six off Wanindu Hasaranga to complete his third fifty of the season in 39 balls while chasing 174.

The other batter with more half-centuries than Virat Kohli is David Warner, topping the list with 108 fifties in 400 matches.

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Most Half-Centuries in T20 Career:

• David Warner – 108 fifties (400 matches)
• Virat Kohli – 100 fifties (405 matches)
• Babar Azam – 90 fifties (311 matches)
• Chris Gayle – 88 fifties (463 matches)
• Jos Buttler – 86 fifties (440 matches)

Earlier this week, Virat Kohli became the first Indian batter to score over 13,000 runs in T20 cricket during a match against the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

With this remarkable achievement, the former captain of India joined an elite group, becoming the fifth player overall to reach this milestone, following Chris Gayle, Alex Hales, Shoaib Malik, and Kieron Pollard.

It is pertinent to mention that the 36-year-old has represented the Indian team in 125 T20Is, amassing 4188 runs with a staggering average of 48.69.

The run-machine scored 38 fifties and one century in his T20I career before retiring after the Men in Blue’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024.

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