Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) director of cricket Mo Bobat has paid rich tribute to Virat Kohli, describing him as the franchise’s eternal icon and hero after nearly two decades of unwavering service in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Kohli, who has represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru for 18 consecutive seasons, has become synonymous with the team. From electrifying knocks at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to the sea of red that rises every time he walks out to bat, Kohli’s journey mirrors the highs and lows of the franchise itself.

Speaking on the RCB Podcast, Bobat made it clear that Kohli’s stature within the team transcends statistics.

“Virat Kohli, obviously, I think he’ll forever be the icon and the hero of this team. I don’t think that’s going to go away, and he deserves that. His track record is incredible,” Bobat said.

A record of staggering consistency

Bobat highlighted Kohli’s extraordinary consistency as one of the defining pillars of his legacy. As the former India captain closed in on 9,000 IPL runs last season — all in RCB colours — his longevity and productivity stood out in a league known for frequent player churn.

“I remember at one point last season seeing his stats when he got to however many runs it was — close to 9,000 runs — 18 years wearing just one shirt. That’s 500 runs a season. It’s actually ridiculous,” Bobat remarked.

He pointed out that while many players consider a 500-run season a career highlight, Kohli has effectively averaged that mark across 18 seasons.

“For seven years or something like that, some players would be happy with a 500-run season. He averages 500 runs a season for 18 years. It’s actually ridiculous. So, you can’t ignore that,” he added.

A historic title and leadership transition

RCB finally ended their long wait for an IPL trophy last year, clinching their maiden title under the leadership of Rajat Patidar. The triumph marked a watershed moment for the franchise, which had previously fallen short despite boasting several star-studded line-ups.

Bobat revealed that the decision to transition captaincy from Faf du Plessis to Patidar was among the most carefully deliberated calls of his professional career.

“We spent a lot of time thinking about that captaincy decision. I don’t mind saying in my career there aren’t that many decisions that I’ve thought about as long and as deeply as that one. And the thinking started in the season before,” he said.

While acknowledging du Plessis’ contribution as a leader and performer, Bobat admitted that the franchise had to take a pragmatic view.

“Sport is pretty ruthless. You’ve got to look at the reality of age and stage. The big auction gave us a chance to do a bit of a reset. We felt like having an Indian captain was really important. It’s an Indian competition, so having an Indian captain is important,” he explained.

Conversations with Kohli

Bobat also disclosed that he and head coach Andy Flower held detailed discussions with Kohli in London after the 2024 season regarding the leadership shift.

“Andy and I met him in London not long after the 2024 season and talked about that. He’s always ready to step forward and lead. He doesn’t need a second invitation,” Bobat said.

However, the management was keen to avoid becoming overly dependent on Kohli for leadership responsibilities.

“The easy thing would have been to say, ‘Virat, do you mind filling in and doing captaincy?’ But then you’re just kicking a decision down the road. At some point we can’t be dependent on Virat all the time,” he noted.

Bobat added that Kohli understood the broader vision immediately. “Virat’s a bright guy. He got it really quickly. He said, ‘Let’s think about some of these other individuals. But if you need someone, then obviously I can do it’.”

Mindset of champions

As RCB prepare for the upcoming IPL season as reigning champions, Bobat emphasised that the team’s mindset is not about defending the title but about building on success.

“We’re not defending champions. We’re not defending anything. We might be current champions, but I don’t want us to have a mindset of us defending anything. We’re attacking. We’re chasing something else. We’re chasing back-to-back wins,” he asserted.

Conclusion

With Kohli continuing to anchor the batting line-up and a new leadership core in place, RCB appear focused on sustaining their success. While the franchise may have finally broken its title drought, Bobat’s remarks underline that for RCB, the ambition now extends beyond a single trophy — with their eternal icon still at the heart of the journey.