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Virat Kohli joins RCB for IPL 2025 after stellar performances in T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025.
Virat Kohli joins the RCB squad ahead of IPL 2025. (Image: X)
Virat Kohli joined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad on Saturday ahead of the Indian Premier League 2025 season.
Kohli will look to shift into IPL mode after having a stellar season with the national team who went on to win the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025 as well.
In a video shared by the franchise on social media, Kohli can be seen posing in an RCB jersey with the caption reading, “The King is here and like always, he’s 2 steps (sometimes a LOT more) ahead of everyone.”
The King is here and like always, he’s 2 steps (sometimes a LOT more) ahead of everyone. 😮💨D̶o̶n̶ Virat ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi… you know the rest 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/sBxCa3qQco
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 15, 2025
Kohli was in fine form during the Champions Trophy campaign as the Rohit Sharma-led side went on to beat New Zealand by four wickets and an over to spare to win the big finale to give the nation its third tournament title.
He scored a total of 218 runs from the five games at an average of 54.5. His notable moments were the match-winning century against Pakistan during the group stage and his vital knock of 84 against Australia in the semi-final.
He will be playing under Rajat Patidar, the new captain of the franchise when RCB made the announcement prior to the start of the season.
Kohli gave his support to Patidar and hopes that under his leadership, the Bengaluru-based franchise can go all the way to win its first IPL title.
“Rajat, firstly, I want to congratulate you and wish you all the very best. The way you have grown in the franchise and the way you have performed, you have really made a place in the hearts of all the fans of RCB, all over India,” Kohli had said on Patidar’s appointment.
“They get excited to watch you play. So, this is very well deserved. Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, and you’ll have all our support.”
Kohli will also look to continue where he left off from the previous season of the IPL. He finished as the season’s highest run-scorer with 741 runs in 15 games at an average of 61.75 and a strike-rate of 154.7.
The side narrowly made its way into the playoffs after beating Chennai Super Kings in their final league game. But they fell short in the first eliminator, being beaten by the Rajasthan Royals by four wickets.
Kohli and RCB will look to make a fresh start with a new look side with their season-opener in an away game against the Kolkata Knight Riders on March 22 (Saturday).
