Vijay Mallya makes stunning revelation on buying Virat Kohli, names Top 3 RCB players

Former owner and founder of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, Vijay Mallya, has opened up on roping Virat Kohli in the squad in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Vijay Mallya said that he hadn't seen much of Virat Kohli, but heard a lot of good things about him, which prompted him to acquire the services of the "supremely talented boy" during the draft.

Virat Kohli - The RCB Loyalist

Under the leadership of Virat Kohli, India had won the 2008 Under-19 Cricket World Cup by defeating South Africa in the final. He had impressed many with his performances during the competition and caught the eyes of the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams.

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Kohli was not part of the main IPL auction in 2008, instead, he entered the Under-19 player draft, as during that time, Under-19 players were selected via a draft system at a fixed price.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru picked Kohli for $30,000 from that draft as Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), who had the first pick, went ahead with Pradeep Sangwan.

Since then, Kohli has been an RCB loyalist, and he has never entered the IPL auction, having been retained by the franchise every single time.

The 36-year-old has played 267 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has scored 8661 runs at an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 132.85, with 8 tons and 63 fifties.

I didn’t realise that I had picked what was arguably going to be the world’s best batsman - Vijay Mallya

In an interview with RevSportz, Vijay Mallya was asked about his thought process behind getting Virat Kohli during the draft. He replied by saying that he was looking to just buy a talented cricketer, but was not aware of the fact that he would become the best batsman in the world. He said:

"I have always believed that cricket is all about runs. Not to say that I mean that batting is more important than bowling, but it’s all about runs. If you can’t score runs in the first place, you can’t win. Now, I had not seen a lot, but I certainly had heard a lot about this young, supremely talented boy called Virat Kohli, who was part of the India Under-19, who had just won in Australia.

"So it was just natural when my turn came to pick, I didn’t even look at anybody else. I said, Virat Kohli. And that’s what started it. At the end of the day, at that moment, I knew I had picked a supremely talented player. I didn’t realise that I had picked what was arguably going to be the world’s best batsman."

Everybody at RCB and all the fans must thank him - Vijay Mallya on Virat Kohli

Vijay Mallya further said that he has thoroughly enjoyed watching the journey of Kohli in cricket and added that the RCB team management and fans should be grateful that he has stuck with the same franchise. He elaborated:

"Well, absolutely. I watched him play white-ball cricket. I watched him play red-ball cricket. I watched him as captain of India. Of course, I watched him as captain of RCB. But at the end of the day, I mean, it’s magical. I mean, that’s why he is so respected and loved across the world.

"I mean even in England, when Virat Kohli comes out to bat, I mean, even the local British people applaud him. That applause is appreciation for his greatness. But what is even more important to me is he stayed with RCB right through 18 years, and has never, ever played for another franchise. I mean, that itself speaks for commitment. That is true passion. And, you know, everybody at RCB and all the fans must thank him for that passion and attachment."

When asked to pick three best players in RCB history during the same interaction, Vijay Mallya replied, "Virat Kohli, for sure, without any doubt. I would say Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers."

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