Recent reports suggesting Virat Kohli's potential departure from the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been met with strong rebuttals, with sources close to the player dismissing the rumors as unfounded. Speculation arose after reports indicated that Kohli had declined to renew a commercial contract linked to the franchise, leading to concerns about his future with RCB.
The initial reports suggested that Kohli's decision not to renew the commercial agreement, which is separate from his playing contract, hinted at a desire to distance himself from the team's branding and long-term plans. This sparked widespread discussion among fans and pundits, especially following Kohli's retirement from Test cricket earlier in the year. Some interpreted the move as a sign that the former captain might be contemplating his exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
However, these speculations have been countered by those who maintain that Kohli remains committed to RCB. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif emphasized Kohli's promise to play his first and last IPL match for Bangalore, stating, "He is going nowhere. He will play only for RCB. He has promised it to the fans and he will not break it". Kaif suggested that the reason Kohli has not signed a commercial contract is because a new owner might come for RCB and they will control the franchise. He also added, "No guys, Virat Kohli had promised that he will play his first and last match for Benglauru only. He has promised this and since he has done it, he will not back out".
Former India opener Aakash Chopra also weighed in, questioning the link between a commercial decision and Kohli's playing future. "He has reportedly refused a commercial contract, but that doesn't mean anything. He'll definitely play for RCB," Chopra stated, reassuring fans that Kohli would not leave the franchise, especially after finally winning the IPL trophy in 2025.
The context surrounding these rumors includes reports that Diageo Plc, the British company that owns RCB through its Indian arm United Spirits, is considering selling part or all of its stake in the franchise. This potential change in ownership has fueled further speculation about the future of key players like Kohli. Some reports suggest that Kohli may be waiting to see how the new owners will manage the franchise before making long-term commitments.
Despite the swirling rumors, Kohli's commitment to RCB appears unwavering. He has been synonymous with the franchise since the inaugural season of the IPL, playing all of his 267 matches for the team and becoming the league's all-time leading run-scorer with 8,661 runs. His performance in the 2025 season was exceptional, scoring 657 runs in 15 games and leading RCB to their first-ever IPL title.
Moreover, there is a suggestion that Kohli's step back from commercial commitments may be a strategic move to allow younger players to emerge as the face of the team. This aligns with his previous decision to relinquish the captaincy, supporting Rajat Patidar during RCB's title-winning season.
As of now, neither Kohli nor RCB has issued an official statement regarding the commercial contract or his future with the team. However, the overwhelming sentiment from experts and insiders is that Virat Kohli is "going nowhere" and will continue to be an integral part of the RCB franchise.
