batting superstar Virat Kohli has said that he “absolutely loves the IPL” and also revealed the reason for his admiration for the T20 league. The former India captain is one of the few players to have played the IPL since the inaugural edition in 2008.
Of them, he is the only player who has played for only one team in the competition. He joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008 after his success at the Under-19 level and has been representing the same team since then.
After joining the franchise as a rookie, he became the team’s batting mainstay and also led it from 2013 to 2021. And although he is yet to lift the IPL trophy, he is loving the experience of playing in the competition. In a recent interview, the former RCB captain said that he loves the competition because of the camaraderie that the players develop and the connection that both the players and the fans develop.
“I love IPL, also because of the camaraderie you share, so many new players you play with, so many players you have known for a long time who are not from your own country, who you don’t see often. “ Virat Kohli told Star Sports.
“There is a reason why everyone loves the IPL so much – there is a connection, both for the players and the fans.” he added.
Virat Kohli on the beauty of the IPL:
Virat Kohli went on to say that the IPL is better than even the ICC competitions when it comes to interacting with players from other teams. He said the IPL gives players a chance to meet players from rival teams every two to three days and called it “the beauty of the IPL”.
“You play all your tournaments where one team faces another. ICC tournaments happen from time to time, but even in ICC tournaments, you don’t interact with other players or see the other team very often.” Virat Kohli said.
“But in IPL, you probably meet all the teams every two or three days, and that’s the beauty of IPL. You are playing in different conditions, in a different city and with a different team. Everyone has a different type of determination in various stages of the tournament and magical moments are being created.” he added.
We all nod when the king speaks! 🫡@imVkohli sheds light on why #IPL It is a valuable opportunity for aspiring young people around the world!
Will he be the determining factor for #RCB in this #IPLOnStar?#IPL2024 – Starts March 22! 😉#AjabRangOnStar #Better together pic.twitter.com/Ijm9G8vzBz
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 8, 2024
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has not played a competitive match since the T20I series against Afghanistan in January. He skipped the current five-match series against England to be with his wife, who recently gave birth to the couple’s second child. Kohli is scheduled to return to action later this month when IPL 2024 begins.