Virat Kohli breaks silence on being called an ‘overseas player’ for RCB in IPL 2026 after moving to London

Virat Kohli has come under the scanner on social media for shifting his base to London, with many even taking digs at him over the move.

Updated on: Apr 4, 2026, 10:01:06 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Virat Kohli is back in the Indian Premier League and made an immediate impact with a match-winning knock for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The star batter looks determined to help RCB defend the title they clinched for the first time last season. Notably, he arrived for the tournament without an extensive build-up, having taken a break after India’s last ODI assignment in January before travelling to England. Kohli has been spending more time in London with his family to stay away from the spotlight in India, often returning only ahead of major assignments, though that hasn’t affected his form in recent outings.

Virat Kohli has started IPL 2026 with a fine knock vs SRH. (ANI Photo)

Meanwhile, the former India skipper has come under the scanner on social media for shifting his base to London, with many even taking digs at him over the move. In a video with RCB, Kohli responded to the chatter as host Danish Sait, in his popular Mr Nags avatar, quipped, “People are saying RCB are playing five overseas players, I am not understanding what they are saying actually.”

Kohli, with a half smile on his face, replied, "I don't know, why are you asking me? Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player. Am I an overseas player?"

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Looking back at the long wait for success with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kohli opened up on the sense of relief he felt after finally lifting the title in his 18th season with the franchise.

"I had heard of this statement or this saying, four years, monkey off the back. That night I really felt what it means. Everything became light," he added.

“Victory is the accumulation of hard work”: Virat Kohli

After conquering all three formats with sustained success, Kohli reflected on what victory truly means to him, explaining how years of hard work, sacrifice and commitment finally come together to offer a sense of reward and reassurance.

“Victory is the accumulation of hard work, all the sacrifices you’ve made, to be committed to the sport. It all comes together as a form of assurance, a reward, to know that you haven’t wasted your time. A lot of people learn from losses, but a lot of people can get very disheartened as well. So when you win after a lot of hard work, it makes you feel a sense of justice to the work that you put in, and also gives you motivation to work harder," Kohli said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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