Prior to the Roaring crowd, century celebrations, and prestigious number 18 jersey, Virat Kohli was just a teenager who was losing her mind in a hotel corridor. As the IPL is in its 18th year, Kohli marked as an unforgettable number: 20 lakh rupees in the actual beginning of his journey in the league.
“When the auction took place, we were in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and we were sold as first class cricketers, which were limited to 20 lakh rupees. We went mad in the corridor-‘We get 20 lakh rupees!’ This was the feeling behind it.
Kohli was part of the first IPL auction in 2008, which is still for a U-19 World Cup title from India’s captaincy. Now, he stands as the most consistent artist of the league and its most permanent face.
“The first year was exciting in terms of unexpected things. We did not play a lot of T20 cricket. Secondly, franchise cricket allowed us to play with different players around the world, the players we saw.”
Considering how far the league came, Kohli admitted that he too could not imagine its meteor growth.
“It has been a long journey, one that we have seen, developed, developed, and it has become a wonderful spectacle. Honestly, when the IPL started, I never thought it can reach a platform in this way. But 18 years and rolling, and every year you feel the same enthusiasm, not more, if it is a large -scale credits for the league, the teams, teams, teams, teams, teams, teams, it is not over. Top-observation.
Among all the experiences he had, a rivalry stands out. This is RCB vs. CSK match, especially when the action appears at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
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“I would say that, historically, I have realized that we have the most intensive game with Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru. Because in Chennai, of course, there are fans of Chennai – they are yellow and CSK fans everywhere. Stadium.
“So, while playing against CSK, there is an intense atmosphere inside the stadium in Bengaluru. And then, of course, the game also becomes very intense and competitive. This atmosphere is the most exciting that I have been a part.”
