Virat Kohli hailed the team’s resurgence, crediting it to a focus on self-respect and expressive play. Despite a sluggish start, Virat Kohli‘s RCB climbed from the bottom of the table, showcasing a remarkable turnaround in the tournament.
Virat Kohli was a force to be reckoned with in IPL 2024. He dominated the tournament, etching his name in the record books and silencing any lingering doubts about his batting prowess. Kohli ended the season as the leading run-scorer, a title marked by the prestigious Orange Cap. The sheer volume of runs he amassed was staggering, a whopping 741 runs accumulated in just 15 matches. This wasn’t just about quantity though. Kohli’s batting average was a phenomenal 66.1.
The initial phase of the tournament was a forgettable one for RCB. They stumbled through their matches, losing a staggering seven out of their first eight games. Critics began questioning their team composition and strategy, with whispers of another disappointing season for the Bangalore franchise growing louder. A resolute determination seemed to take hold of the team. They found their winning formula, with key players stepping up and igniting a six-match winning streak. Virat Kohli rediscovered his batting touch, amassing runs with phenomenal consistency. Openers like Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell provided explosive starts, while the middle order, anchored by Rajat Patidar, solidified the innings. The bowling attack, spearheaded by the fiery pace of Mohammed Siraj tightened the lines and lengths, restricting opposition batsmen.
What Virat Kohli Said
Despite an astonishing streak of six consecutive wins propelling them to fourth place and playoff qualification, RCB’s journey was halted by a four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator on Wednesday, May 22. Despite the defeat that concluded RCB’s IPL 2024 campaign, a disappointed Kohli expressed pride in the team’s resurgence during the latter half of the season.
In a video on RCB’s Twitter handle, Virat said, “Our performance in the first half of the season was under-par. The standards that we have as cricketers, we were not living up to them. And then, we just started expressing ourselves, started playing for our own self-respect and then the confidence came back.”
“The way we turned things around and qualified was truly special, something that I will always cherish and remember because it took a lot of character and heart from each member of the team, something that we can be proud of. Eventually we played how we wanted to play.”
Despite RCB’s elimination, Kohli had an outstanding season with the bat, amassing 741 runs at an impressive average of nearly 62 across 15 games. However, in the crucial do-or-die encounter against RR, the 35-year-old managed 33 runs off 24 balls before being dismissed by former RCB teammate Yuzvendra Chahal.
Virat Kohli On RCB’s Ever Loyal Fans
After RCB’s exit at the Eliminator stage, Virat Kohli expressed gratitude to the team’s fans across the nation for their unwavering love and support throughout the 2024 season. Despite making multiple playoff appearances, including four out of the last five seasons, RCB has yet to clinch the coveted IPL title.
“The support from fans is unwavering. This season was exactly the same, it wasn’t any different. Will always be thankful for that and will always be grateful for the way they turn out in numbers, not just in Bengaluru but all over the country where we play. Thank you so much for your support and wishes,” he said.
RCB supporters rejoiced as the team secured a convincing victory over arch-rivals CSK in their last league-stage match, securing a spot in the playoffs. However, the quest for championship glory persists as the franchise faces another offseason marked by uncertainties surrounding squad composition ahead of the upcoming Mega Auction later this year.