Virat Kohli retirement fears dismissed as RCB CEO promises four-year IPL commitment

RCB's CEO Rajesh Menon highlighted the deep connection between the franchise and Virat Kohli.

Updated on: Jun 19, 2026, 10:51:02 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have become inseparable names in IPL history. The batting legend remains the only player to have featured in all 19 seasons of the tournament for a single franchise since the league's inception. Kohli has also made it clear on several occasions that he has no plans to switch teams and wants to finish his IPL career with RCB. The last two seasons have finally delivered the success that the franchise and its fans waited years for. RCB ended their long title drought by winning their maiden IPL trophy in 2025, fulfilling Kohli's dream after years of heartbreak. They followed it up by defending their title this year, becoming only the third team after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to win back-to-back IPL championships. It marked a historic period for both Kohli and the Bengaluru franchise.

Virat Kohli was RCB's best batter in the IPL 2026 title triumph. (PTI)

RCB's CEO Rajesh Menon highlighted the deep connection between the franchise and its biggest icon. Menon acknowledged Kohli's unmatched contribution over the years and suggested that the bond between the two could extend beyond his playing career.

"RCB and Virat are different sides of the same coin," Rajesh Menon told CNBC TV18. “He has been the constant factor for RCB throughout. We have not seen him not being part of RCB even if he moves out of his cricketing career. We have to figure out.”

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Virat Kohli at RCB for next four years

Menon also backed Kohli to continue playing at RCB for the next four years, pointing towards his fitness, hunger and impact despite being in the latter stages of his career. He highlighted Kohli's energy and performances in the latest IPL season as proof that the veteran batter still has plenty to offer.

"That said, next three-four years, am sure he'll be playing…for at least four years. He is fit, the hunger never dies. You saw him this IPL season bring on the energy, runs, attitude….everything was there. Three-four years, absolutely no problem." he added.

The next IPL season will mark the final year of the current cycle, and there is unlikely to be any doubt over RCB retaining Kohli if he decides to continue playing for another season. The veteran batter remains at the top of his game and was once again RCB's leading run-scorer in IPL 2026. Kohli amassed 675 runs at a strike rate of 165.84, his best-ever strike rate in a single IPL season. He saved one of his finest knocks for the biggest occasion, smashing an unbeaten 75 in the final to help RCB secure back-to-back titles and create history.

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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