In a recent interview, Virat Kohli talked about his experience playing in the 2008 inaugural Indian Premier League season. He remembered how exciting and intense it was to be in the same dressing room as some of India’s top cricket players, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The star batter revealed that in addition to the excitement, there were also additional expectations. Additionally, he acknowledged that at the time, his level was below the necessary level.
“I was completely amazed when I played in the IPL for the first time. Entering a dressing room with superstars like Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble was like a dream come true for me because I had never actually met anyone before, with the possible exception of Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh from our North Zone days. But pressure accompanied that joy. I had to prove myself since I knew I wasn’t quite at that level yet. In the first season, that pressure finally got to me. Nevertheless, Virat Kohli said in an exclusive interview with JioHotstar’s “18 Calling 18” that the experience was unforgettable.
wasn’t able to make a significant early breakthrough in the IPL: Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli was candid when he admitted that his first few years were somewhat difficult. However, he said that because Kohli was frequently called in to bat at number three, things began to fall into place starting with the 2011 edition.
“I didn’t get many opportunities to bat in the top order during my first three years with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Usually, I was sent in lower. So, other from the odd powerful knock, I wasn’t really able to break into the IPL early on. However, I felt a little better about the 2009 season. That year’s pitches were ideal for me; I could play my shots more freely and the ball was hitting the bat wonderfully. It was undoubtedly a fascinating time in my professional life. I began to perform more consistently in 2010 and was batting at number three on a regular basis by 2011. My IPL journey really started to take shape at that point,” Virat Kohli continued.
Over the years, the former captain of the RCB has become as a prominent figure in the IPL. At the moment, he leads the tournament in runs scored. He currently plays a significant role in the setup of the Bengaluru-based franchise. Unquestionably, Virat Kohli batting performance will play a significant role in determining where RCB finishes in the current season.
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