Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans got a big boost when CEO Rajesh Menon confirmed that Virat Kohli is expected to remain with the franchise until at least 2030. The comments cement Kohli’s long-standing association with RCB and ensure that he will continue to play a central role in the team’s plans.
Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, Royal Challengers Bangalore won consecutive IPL titles in 2025 and 2026. Despite the upcoming ownership change of the Bengaluru-based franchise, Kohli’s relationship with RCB remains as strong as ever, with the team looking to build on its recent success and championship-winning era.
RCB and Virat Kohli are different sides of the same coin – Rajesh Menon
Rajesh Menon said that Virat Kohli remains in the heart of the franchise. Menon said he could not imagine RCB without the former captain being involved in some role. He also supported Kohli to continue his playing career for at least the next three to four years.
“RCB and Virat are different sides of the same coin. He has been a constant factor for the entire RCB. We have not seen him being a part of RCB even after he is out of his cricketing career. We have to figure that out.”
“That said, the next three to four years, I am sure he will keep playing for at least four years. He is fit; the hunger never dies. You saw him in this IPL season, the energy, the runs, the attitude… everything. Three to four years, absolutely no problem.”
There is one season left in the current IPL mega auction cycle before teams can reshape their squads in 2028. Notably, teams will be required to retain only a certain number of players before the auction.
I just give my heart and soul on the field – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli talks about his mindset after winning the Player of the Match award in the IPL 2026 final. The former RCB captain said his energy and intensity comes from his willingness to make the most of every moment on the field and adapt to pressure situations.
“I give my heart and soul on the field, whether I’m fielding or batting, because it’s going to end one day. And I want to make the most of every day that I’m on the field and just enjoy and have a lot of fun and look forward to the pressure situations, look forward to those scenarios where I’m feeling a little bit hot. And then I challenge myself to say, you know what, just go for it. And when you cross the line If you have, it makes you a better player.”
Virat Kohli ends IPL 2026 season with match-winning final knock
Virat Kohli gave a match-winning performance in the final of IPL 2026. Against Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. He remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls and helped Royal Challengers Bangalore successfully chase 156, helping the franchise win the title.
Kohli scored 675 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.25 and strike rate of 165.84, which included one century and five fifties. He was the fourth highest run-scorer of the season after Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan.
The former India captain also became the first player in IPL history to score 9,000 runs. He has scored 9,336 runs in 275 innings at an average of 40.41 and a strike rate of 134.79, which includes nine centuries and 68 half-centuries.