IPL 2021 | ‘Disappointed, but proud of the way we played’ : Virat Kohli after RCB’s defeat against KKR

Royal Challengers Bangalore have grown to greater heights as a franchise under the stewardship of Virat Kohli. The disappointment of not winning silverware will be a torrid takeaway, but the skipper was very proud of their performance in 2021. Having finished 3rd on the table narrowly, Bangalore lost their Eliminator clash to Kolkata Knight Riders, […]
 

Royal Challengers Bangalore have grown to greater heights as a franchise under the stewardship of Virat Kohli. The disappointment of not winning silverware will be a torrid takeaway, but the skipper was very proud of their performance in 2021. Having finished 3rd on the table narrowly, Bangalore lost their Eliminator clash to Kolkata Knight Riders, thus making them finish 4th in this edition.

Virat Kohli, who had announced before the start of the second leg that this will be his final season as the captain of this franchise, was very emotional after the game, but admitted that he will continue playing for the red-and-black unit. In a video released by RCB’s official Insta handle, where the likes of Mike Hesson, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli were spotted giving final speeches, Kohli said that this was a special season.

The 32-year-old cricketer mentioned that this was the most enjoyable campaign after the 2016 edition, and they are proud of the performance they’ve shown.

“Actually, if you ask me honestly, the 2016 season was very special for us, but I think this season has been the most enjoyable after that for me. Being a part of this group and the way we conducted ourselves and the way we have handled success and failure, I think that’s very very special. We all have worked very hard to achieve that. Yes, we might be disappointed today, but no one looks broken.

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We are all disappointed but we are very proud of that way we have played as well, which I think is something we have always tried to create in this franchise. Tried the best I could. I will continue to give everything that I have for this franchise always and still be a leader around the group, but not the one making all the decisions,” Kohli said.

Here’s the video where Kohli spoke about the season

What next for Virat Kohli and RCB?

Kohli registered 4,644 runs for the franchise as captain, more than any other cricketer in IPL.

His comments are a clear indication that the Royal Challengers Bangalore will retain Virat Kohli, however, they will look for new options in the auction for captaincy. The likes of David Warner, KL Rahul, and a few other notable names are set to be available in the auction for Bangalore to look at, but they won’t be easy to lay hands on.

With two new franchises joining the fray next season, it is believed that each team will only be allowed to retain two players, and the number of “Right to Match” available to be exercised, is a mystery. Having come close yet again, they failed to lay hands on the trophy, but the franchise will be hoping that the new group of players can take them through.