Former RCB owner Vijay Mallya said that he chose Virat Kohli among the players during the first Indian Premier League (IPL) draft for Under-19. Chasing their dreams for 17 years, RCB was able to finally win the IPL title in 2025.
Mallya remembers being present during the inaugural auction and draft for Under-19 players, in which Kohli participated. That is where Mallya made the choice to include the Delhi native in the squad. He stated that Kohli’s outstanding performance for India in the Under-19 World Cup 2008 had a significant factor in his decision. Mallya remarked that it was only logical to thereafter appoint the Indian legend as the franchise’s captain.
“I was the one who picked Virat Kohli. I was sitting there for the pick, and the minute it was my turn, I immediately chose Virat. Obviously, his performance with the India Under-19 team was an influencing factor. So, he was a natural choice to be the RCB captain,” said Mallya as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Kohli has been with the RCB franchise from the IPL’s start in 2008, and he continues to represent the squad. The Indian superstar has hit more over 8,600 runs in the event, making him the most prolific run-scorer in IPL history. He has eight centuries and 63 half-centuries in the league thus far. Despite captaining RCB for several years and reaching the finals three times, he was unable to win the trophy over the years.
In IPL 2025 though, Virat Kohli essayed a significant role as a full time opening bat under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar. He struck 657 runs in 15 games, on which he featured in the final with 43 run knock which proved vital. Kohli’s innings became important as no other batter made any signicant contribution as RCB beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs on Tuesday, June 3 to win their first ever IPL title.
