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After retaining Virat Kohli for the IPL 2025 auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) shared a video of him on Twitter on October 31. In the clip, Kohli expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the selfless support from RCB fans and committed to pursuing the long-sought IPL title in the upcoming 3-year cycle. "I’m really excited about the opportunity to build a squad in this auction.
It's something I’m looking forward to as a franchise and team. One of our main goals in this cycle is to win the IPL title at least once. We will give it our all, as always, and I’ll strive to make everyone proud with our performances," Kohli said. RCB released their retention list ahead of the October 31 deadline. It included a few surprising exclusions.
While Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal were kept on, the players such as Mohammed Siraj, Glenn Maxwell, and former captain Faf du Plessis were allowed to let go. Kohli's retention as the top choice, with a salary of INR 21 crore, was forseen, given his long-standing relationship with the team since the IPL’s inception in 2008.
In his video, Kohli reflected on his journey with RCB, noting that by the end of this new three-year cycle, he will have spent twenty years with the franchise. He described this milestone as a source of immense pride and joy to his ongoing commitment. Despite RCB's history of not winning an IPL title, Kohli acknowledged the incredible support from fans, which he ascribes to his dedication and performances over the years.
Kohli also expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming mega auction, voicing confidence in the RCB management's ability to make strategic moves that would strengthen the team. He reassured fans that the primary objective remains winning the IPL trophy, a dream that has eluded the franchise to date. Kohli emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the entire team aligns with this goal once the season kicks off.
RCB's decision to keep Kohli, Patidar, and Dayal while releasing key figures like Mohammed Siraj and Glenn Maxwell marks a strategic shift aimed at re-building the team. With an auction purse of INR 84 crore and 3 Right to Match (RTM) cards at their disposal, RCB is well-positioned to make important additions to their lineup.
Kohli's video message struck a chord with fans, boosting their hopes and happiness for a successful IPL 2025 season. As RCB approaches the mega auction, the focus will be on creating a well-rounded and intimidating team capable of finally securing the IPL title.