Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, has stirred excitement among fans by naming the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as his favourite rival in the Indian Premier League (IPL), surprising many who expected him to choose the Mumbai Indians (MI). This revelation came during a rapid-fire segment in a special interview celebrating his 16-year journey in international cricket.
Virat Kohli’s favourite IPL rivals
In a recent interaction with Star Sports, Kohli was asked to pick his favourite IPL rival between the two most successful franchises in the league’s history: KKR and MI. To the astonishment of many, he opted for KKR, owned by Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan. Kohli’s choice highlights the intense rivalry between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where he has played since the league’s inception in 2008, and KKR, which has been a formidable opponent over the years.
Kohli stated, “I would say KKR,” indicating his respect for the franchise and its competitive spirit.
The rivalry between RCB and KKR has been marked by thrilling encounters, with Kohli himself having faced KKR 34 times, scoring 962 runs against them, including one century and six half-centuries. In contrast, his record against MI includes 855 runs in 33 matches, with five half-centuries. This statistical backdrop adds depth to Kohli’s preference, as KKR has often provided him with memorable battles on the field.
Celebrating 16 glorious years of Virat Kohli in international cricket!
Join us, as we ask @imVkohli about his favorite cricketer, TV show, singer, and 16 other exciting questions in a fun, rapid-fire round to celebrate #16YearsOfVirat! #KingKohli #16YearsOfVirat #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/S8kJ0x61ws
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 18, 2024
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Kohli celebrating a milestone
Kohli’s revelation comes as he celebrates a significant milestone in his career. On August 18, 2024, he marked 16 years since his debut in international cricket. This period has been filled with remarkable achievements, including being the all-time leading run-scorer in the IPL, with over 8,000 runs to his name. His journey with RCB has been a rollercoaster, characterized by personal accolades but a persistent quest for the elusive IPL trophy, which has remained out of reach despite reaching the finals three times.
During the interview, Kohli also reflected on his favourite cricketing moments and shared insights into his life beyond cricket. He expressed fondness for the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, further emphasizing his deep connection with RCB and their fans.
As Kohli enjoys this celebratory phase, he is also gearing up for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19, 2024. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the squad for this two-match series. Following the Bangladesh series, India will host New Zealand for another Test series, marking a busy schedule ahead for Kohli and the national team.
As the cricketing world awaits Kohli’s return to international action, fans will be keen to see how this rivalry unfolds in future IPL seasons, especially with Kohli’s continued association with RCB, where he is expected to be retained ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
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