Former India skipper Krishnamachari Srikkanth has put to rest the swirling rumours about Virat Kohli’s possible IPL retirement or a switch to a different franchise.
The speculation gained traction after a report by RevzSports claimed that Kohli had declined a new commercial deal with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), sparking conversations about his future with the team. Fuel to the fire was provided by rumors of RCB possibly being sold, even after their historic first-ever title triumph last season.
“It’s just a speculation because he (Kohli) has just won RCB the IPL. So I don’t think he’ll retire. These are all obvious rumours. These are just business decisions (change in ownership). But as far as Virat Kohli is concerned, he’ll continue with RCB,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
But Srikkanth was swift in dousing the retirement rumors, making it clear that Kohli, who was central to RCB’s championship-winning season, is likely to stay with the franchise irrespective of any change in ownership. Kohli, who has been identified with RCB right from the first season of the IPL in 2008, is the only player to have played for just one team for 17 years in succession. His loyalty towards RCB has never wavered, with the batting supremo time and again asserting that he has no plans to ever wear another team’s jersey.
“Why should he retire? He played brilliant even this IPL. Unless he himself personally takes a decision, that’s a different matter altogether. Virat Kohli is good enough to play another three years of IPL. He will score runs always, being the king of kings,” said Srikkanth.
All the same, news of his reluctance to sign a new commercial deal over the weekend has raised eyebrows over his future. Nevertheless, with Kohli aged 36, his form remains strong. He is still one of the most prolific players in IPL history, having scored 8,661 runs in 17 seasons eight centuries and more than 60 fifties included at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of about 132.86.
His all-time record 973 runs in 2016 remain the highest for any batter in a single IPL season. Year after year, Kohli has been one of the top-run getters, solidifying his position not only as an IPL icon but also as RCB’s heart and soul.
While there may be speculation in other quarters, all indications are that Kohli will remain in the IPL, and in RCB the team he has supported for better or for worse.