Even That Moment Was So Amazing - Virat Kohli Recalls Being Bought By RCB In 2008 IPL Auction
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter and Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli, recalled the time he was picked up by the franchise in the IPL 2008 auction, the first of its kind.
Kohli was signed on for USD 30,000 but the events leading up to it were what was special for the now 33-year-old. He also revealed that he heard he was likely to join Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) but they made a late switch and opted to go for Pradeep Sangwan instead.
“We were all in Malaysia for the U-19 World Cup. I remember the day when the drafts were happening. The U-19 dynamic was a little different because we very rightly so had a money cap if I could say. That was the only time where I saw a restriction on how much you can be picked for if you haven’t played for India.“
“So, that for us, I remember even that moment for us was so amazing. Because of the amount that we got picked for when they announced it, we couldn’t believe it because it was absolutely crazy,” Kohli told Danish Sait in a podcast for RCB.
“Don’t want to have it any other way than this” – Virat Kohli on a journey with RCB
Kohli also expressed that being picked up in the auction by RCB was one of the most impactful moments in his life. He has already asserted that he will only play for Bangalore in the IPL, proving his loyalty to the franchise.
“RCB picked me, that I think, in the hindsight, I feel like was such an impactful moment in my life that I didn’t realise at that time. But now when I look back, things would have been very different to what they are now. I do not want to have it any other way than this,” Kohli added.
Kohli was retained by RCB for INR 15 cr ahead of the IPL 202 mega auction.
