In a candid revelation, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has broken his silence on his decision to step down as captain of the national team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), shedding light on the intense pressures and personal reflections that shaped his choices.
Speaking on the RCB podcast with host Mayanti Langer, Kohli shared a heartfelt account of his journey, reaffirming his unwavering commitment to RCB and his desire to play cricket on his own terms.
Reflecting on the challenges of his captaincy tenure, Virat Kohli described the relentless scrutiny he faced during his peak years. He admitted that the pressure of expectations was disturbing him and affecting his game, as he ultimately chose to leave RCB’s captaincy after the 2021 season and also resigned as India’s T20I captain after the 2021 World Cup.
"I've said this before — I had the opportunity to explore and look elsewhere, especially during the peak years of my career. From 2016 to 2019, there were constant suggestions for me to switch. At one point, it became really tough because too much was happening. I was captaining India for 7-8 years and RCB for 9 years. There were expectations from me with the bat in every game I played," Kohli said as quoted on the RCB podcast.
The former captain shared that the constant spotlight took a toll.
"I never felt like the attention was off me. I was always in a space where I didn’t know what to do. I was exposed to it 24x7, and it got really tough. I decided that if I wanted to stay in this space, I needed to be happy. I wanted to be in a place where I could just play cricket without being judged," he added.
Virat Kohli Contemplated Leaving RCB
Despite external pressures and opportunities to join other franchises, Kohli revealed that he contemplated his options but ultimately chose loyalty over change.
"I wouldn't say I was tempted, but I did think about it. I asked myself, 'What is more valuable to me?' I’ve won a lot of things for India, I’ve earned a lot of accolades."
"So I had to make a decision: do I want to go into a new setup and figure things out again? That’s when I realised that the relationship I’ve built here is more valuable — and so is the mutual respect that’s developed over so many years. Now, I’m just going to see it through. Whether we win or not, it’s fine. This is my home," Kohli stated.
Kohli’s words resonate deeply with RCB fans, who have long celebrated his passion and dedication to the franchise. His decision to stay with RCB, despite not having won a title, shows his emotional connection with the team.
Though Kohli is no longer RCB’s skipper, he continues to lead by example on the field, focusing on enjoying the game and contributing to the team that has defined much of his career.
In the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025), the 36-year-old is currently possessing the Orange Cap, having scored 505 runs in 11 innings with seven fifties. Because of his efforts, the Bengaluru-based franchise is sitting at the top of the IPL 2025 points table and has almost qualified for the playoffs with eight wins in 11 games.
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