Virat Kohli IPL Team [Source: @iam_webwarrior, @Tamil_Viratians/x.com]
Virat Kohli is famous for his flamboyant batting, incredible passion for the game and an unrelenting hunger for runs. Ever since he burst onto the scene as a teenager, he has been known for his aggressive stroke play, high fitness standards, and uncompromising commitment to winning.
When it comes to the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kohli has quite an amazing story: one of loyalty, leadership, and record-breaking feats.
Amazingly, despite the tournament’s big-money auctions and constant team reshuffles, Kohli has remained with one franchise: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), from his debut in 2008 up until now. Let’s take a closer look at Virat Kohli IPL team.
Virat Kohli’s IPL Teams
Teams Virat Kohli Has Played For In IPL
Virat began his IPL journey in 2008, picked by RCB from the batch of Under-19 players. While his first couple of seasons were modest compared to what was to come, that early exposure to world-class seniors set the tone for his future dominance. He is the only player in the history to play for a single franchise since the inaugural edition of the league.
Below is a quick overview of the team Kohli has been associated with during his IPL journey:
Team | Years | Key Highlights |
---|---|---|
Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2008-2010 | Picked as a U-19 player for INR 12 lakhs; only player retained by RCB in 2011 mega auction. |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2011 – 2015 | Became RCB’s full-time captain in 2013; crossed 500+ runs for the first time in 2011 season. |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2016-2017 | Record-breaking season in 2016: 973 runs with 4 centuries; led RCB to the final. |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2018 – 2021 | Retained for INR 17 crores; consistently among top scorers; stepped down as captain in 2021. |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2022-2023 | Made a comeback in IPL 2023 with 639 runs, including back-to-back centuries; fourth-highest scorer of the season. |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2024 | Won the Orange Cap with 741 runs in 15 matches |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2025 | Retained by RCB for INR 21 crore, extending his association with the franchise. |
Virat Kohli’s Role in His IPL Team
Batting Position: Typically batted at No. 3, though he’s also opened the innings in many seasons, especially during his peak scoring years.
Captaincy: Took over as full-time skipper in 2013 and led RCB until the end of the 2021 season.
Key Contributions:
- Holds the record for the most runs in IPL history.
- Has produced some of the most iconic individual performances, including the historic 973-run season in 2016 (the highest for any batter in a single IPL edition).
Virat Kohli’s Impact On RCB
Virat Kohli has been a run-machine for RCB [Source: @Wallpaper_hub_/x.com]
Leadership and Team Contribution
- Even before taking the charge as captain, Virat Kohli was a natural leader on the field: always energetic, rallying his teammates and setting high standards. Once he officially became the skipper, he embodied the team’s spirit and work ethic.
- While he did not clinch the trophy during his captaincy stint, there is no denying the example he set in terms of preparation, fitness, and passion.
Beyond Just Performances
- Virat’s presence in the dressing room is about more than just his batting. Younger players look up to him for inspiration and mentorship, especially seeing how he transformed his approach to diet, training, and mental readiness over the years.
- He’s also a crowd-puller and brand icon, boosting the team’s popularity and commercial success.
Virat Kohli set high standards with his fitness and led by example [Source: @Kohli_Dewotee/x.com]
Adapting to IPL Pitches
- Across India’s diverse venues: from the batting-friendly flat tracks of Bengaluru to the slower, spin-heavy pitches of Chennai, Kohli has showcased an ability to adapt his game.
- Earlier in his career, he sometimes found it tough against the moving ball or quality spin. However, innumerable hours in the nets along with his willingness to learn, helped him refine his technique. Over time, he has become one of the most consistent performers on every type of surface the IPL can throw at him.
Role in High-Pressure Matches
- Whether it’s a must-win league game to ensure qualification for playoffs or a nail-biting Eliminator, Kohli’s appetite for performing under pressure stands out.
- For instance, in the 2016 season, he almost single-handedly took RCB to the finals with four centuries. Despite falling short in the title clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, it was proof of his ability to step up when it truly matters.
Virat Kohli And IPL Auction
IPL Auction History for Kohli with RCB
Year | Team | Salary |
---|---|---|
2008-2010 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | INR 12 lakh |
2011-2013 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | INR 8.28 crore |
2014-2017 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | INR 12.5 crore |
2018-2021 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | INR 17 crore |
2022-2024 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | INR 15 crore |
2025-Present | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | INR 21 crore |
Kohli’s IPL 2025 Auction Status
Heading into the 2025 season, RCB made a big move by retaining Kohli once again for a whopping INR 21 crore for the next three years. This solidified Kohli’s place as one of the highest-paid cricketers in the IPL.
Despite stepping down from captaincy, his hunger to bring home the elusive IPL trophy for RCB has not dimmed and fans remain hopeful that he will taste ultimate success in the seasons to come.
FAQs About Virat Kohli IPL Team
Q.1. Which team is Virat Kohli in IPL 2025?
Answer: Virat Kohli is part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025. He has been with RCB since the league's inception in 2008 and was retained for INR 21 crore for the 2025 season.
Q.2. Who is the current owner of RCB?
Answer: The current owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, formerly known as Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is United Spirits, a Diageo-owned company. United Spirits owns both the men’s and women’s RCB teams.
Q.3. Who is No. 1 run scorer in IPL?
Answer: Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs in IPL history, with 8004 runs in 252 matches. He is the first and only player to cross the 8000-run mark in the tournament.
Q.4. Which team is Virat Kohli now?
Answer: Virat Kohli currently plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Q.5. In which IPL team is Virat Kohli?
Answer: Virat Kohli is a part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and has been with the franchise since 2008. He is one of the few players to remain with the same team throughout his IPL career.