Bengaluru feels like home to me – Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has been on song in the ongoing World Cup, currently the second highest run-scorer in the tournament with 543 runs that has seen him garnering the numbers at a staggering average of 108.60, significantly more than Quinton de Kock who is acing the run-scoring charts with an average of 68.75.

Virat’s love story with Bengaluru dates back by a decade and a half, ever since his arrival to RCB. Despite a couple of reticent seasons, the King roared back to life and that was the start of something extremely special. Not only did he grab the chances with arms wide open but he also ensured that he is repaying the faith and the love of the fans and the management. As India return to action to play their final league fixture of World Cup 2023 against the Netherlands at Chinnaswamy, Star Sports had something very special for the fans.

In an exclusive video posted by Star Sports, Virat was heard talking about his love for RCB and Bengaluru. Virat said, “It has always been a special bond with RCB and it feels like that it was always meant to be. It happened at the first draft that happened after the U19 World Cup. I remember that Delhi Daredevils back then which has now been rechristened as Delhi Capitals now had the first preference and they went with Pradeep Sangwan.”

He continued, “I remember RCB was second and I was picked up by RCB. Since then I have always been retained by RCB. I couldn’t see myself playing for any other franchise. The loyalty and the love that the fans have shown is more valuable to me than any other silverware. That is something which is a very rare thing to experience. So I feel very fortunate that I was able to form a deep connection with the city that I was not even born in. Bengaluru feels like home to me, not my second home but HOME.”

Virat further said, “How the city has accepted people and given them so much love and support, that is absolutely phenomenal. This is a testimony to their sporting intelligence. It isn’t a random fanbase. It hasn’t just happened for one season. It has been happening season after season. It has been the same with football as well. It has been happening in ISL as well. The fans in the city have been amazing, like how they get behind their players. It is all about that awareness and that intent which the people have here.

He concluded by saying, “The fans have an intent to care about their teams. That is the most special thing for me. So I can’t wait to be playing in front of them.”