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Virat Kohli Reveals What Changed RCB's Fortunes After Embarrassing First-Half Of IPL 2024

Virat Kohli on field with RCB coach during IPL Eliminator (AP)Virat Kohli on field with RCB coach during IPL Eliminator (AP)

Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) dreams were shattered on Wednesday as Rajasthan Royals (RR) knocked them out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 in Eliminator.

After making an unthinkable comeback in the second-half of the IPL 2024, the Faf du Plessis-led team qualified for the playoffs, winning last six league matches after losing seven out of their eight matches. But, they failed to make it count against RR in Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. 

Kohli, who was Bengaluru's main man throughout the season with 741 runs, reflected on the IPL team's campaign, stating, RCB's performance in the first-half was not "up to their standards," but they turned the fortune as soon as they started for "self-respect".

"To be very honest, the first half of the season was really under par. Performance from us, the standards that we have as cricketers, we were not living up to those standards," said Kohli in a video posted by RCB after exit from the IPL 2024. 

"We just started expressing ourselves, started playing for our own self-respect and then the confidence came back and the way we turned things around and we qualified was truly special. Something that I’ll always, always cherish and remember," he added. 

After reflecting on the season, the Orange Cap holder, thanked his and the franchise's fans for their unconditional love and support. 

"The support from the fans obviously is unwavering every season. And this season was exactly the same. It wasn’t any different and we’re very thankful for that. And we’ll always be grateful for the way they turn out in numbers, not just in Bangalore, but all over the country when we play," he stated.

Nevertheless, this season, Kohli has had his second-best IPL season in terms of runs, and the best in terms of strike rate (154.70). The RCB giant will next be action during India's campaign for the T20 World Cup 2024. 

Meanwhile, the Royals will face off with Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on Friday at Chennai.