Virat Kohli seems to have no plans to shift teams in the near future.

Retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹21 crore a couple of days back, Kohli has hinted that he wants to complete 20 years with the franchise for whom he has played since 2008, the inaugural IPL season. Kohli is currently in his 17th year with the RCB.

“At the end of this cycle, it is going to be 20 years that I am going to be playing for RCB and that in itself is a very, very special feeling for me,” Kohli told ‘RCB Bold Diaries’ indicating that he aims to continue for at least another three years till 2027.

“I never thought that I was going to play for so many years for one team, but the relationship has truly become special over so many years. I don’t see myself anywhere other than RCB, and I am very happy that it happened. I am very excited that I got a chance to create a strong new squad in this auction, something that we are really looking forward to as a franchise, as a team,” the former India captain added.

His words also indicate that he would be back to captaining the franchise. Faf du Plessis, who captained RCB for three seasons from 2022-2024, has not been retained by the franchise.

Despite his long association with RCB, Kohli hasn’t managed to help the team lift the IPL trophy. That’s a dream that still drives the 35-year-old.

“I am super excited as ever as everyone knows what RCB means to me. It’s been a very, very special relationship over so many years, which continues to grow stronger, and what I have experienced playing for RCB is truly special. I hope that the fans and everyone who’s connected to the franchise feel the same way.

“I am also just looking forward to this cycle. Obviously, the goal is to win the IPL title at least once in the next cycle,” he said.

And for that, Kohli promised, that they would leave no stone unturned. “We are going to give it our best shot as always and try to make everyone proud of the way we play our cricket. A big shout out to the fans for your unwavering support.”

RCB head coach Andy Flower acknowledged Kohli’s importance in the team.

“Virat’s retention won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone in India. He is and will be a key to RCB’s success in the future. He was sensational last year. He was one of the leaders who propelled us into the playoffs despite a poor first half of the season,” Flower told JioCinema.

Kohli was at his aggressive best with the bat last season. He not only scored 741 runs at an average of 61.75, but also had a strike rate of 154.70, his best-ever in the IPL. Along with that, he had five fifties and a hundred to boast of. Overall, he has accumulated 8004 runs in 252 IPL matches for RCB.

Besides Kohli, RCB has retained Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal.