Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli recently recalled his initial days with the franchise. Incidentally, Kohli joined as a U19 player just after winning the U19 World Cup in 2008.
Kohli had a horrendous campaign in that season, scoring only 165 runs at an average of 15 and a poor strike rate of 105. Bangalore finished seventh in that season and Virat Kohli recounted a hilarious incident when he was sent to the airport in an Omni van.
Speaking on the RCB Podcast, Kohli said:
“After the season, because I was an Under-19 boy, I was sent to the airport in an Omni van. Everyone else was getting a decent car to go, and I was the only one that was left, and they probably would have said just give him anything and just get him to the airport.”
“And that was not a good car, I’m sorry to say, but I would have loved at least a decent car which was not broken, something through which I could see the road, this one was on its last leg. So, not a good memory,” he added.
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Virat Kohli went onto turn things for himself in the subsequent season and eventually became the captain of the side. Incidentally, Kohli is the only cricketer in the history of IPL to play for one single franchise.
“I felt so timid” – Virat Kohli on his first experience in RCB
Sharing his first experience with the franchise, Kohli recounted how initially he was starstruck before the senior players made him feel comfortable.
“It was an amazing atmosphere; there was a proper ramp and who’s who of Bangalore and all. Everyone was excited to see the players. I remember walking into the room and meeting Zak and PK and these guys at the formal team launch, and it was just surreal,” Virat Kohli stated.
“I was just sitting there, and I felt so timid; I was actually taken aback by the fact that I was in the same room with these guys; they made me feel comfortable very quickly. From there on, our friendship and camaraderie grew,” he concluded.
