In the latest RCB podcast, former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli admitted he once thought about leaving the team. This has caught the cricket world off guard, especially as Kohli has always been seen as RCB’s most loyal player.

Speaking to sports presenter Mayanti Langer, Kohli said,

"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."

Kohli explained that during a difficult period, he questioned whether he wanted to start fresh with a new team.

"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," he added.

Kohli has played for RCB in every single season since the Indian Premier League began in 2008. Even though the team has never won the IPL title, he has stayed loyal to the franchise. He holds records for the most runs and most centuries in IPL history, scoring over 8,000 runs.

Now in his 18th IPL season, Kohli continues to be RCB’s most valuable player — not just for his runs but for his leadership and commitment.

As of now, RCB has 16 points and is very close to reaching the IPL 2025 Playoffs. Fans are hopeful that this could finally be the season Kohli lifts the trophy with RCB.

Whether they win or not, one thing is clear: for Kohli, RCB is more than just a team. It’s home.

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