Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has expressed his profound admiration for the Indian Premier League (IPL), highlighting the league's success as stemming from the strong connection between the players and the fans. Despite missing the ongoing five-Test series against England due to personal commitments, Kohli is set to return for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their IPL season opener against the Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 22.
"I absolutely love IPL, also because of the camaraderie you share, so many new players you play with, so many players that you've known for a long time who are not from your own country, whom you don't see often," the former RCB skipper told Star Sports.
"There's a reason why everyone loves IPL so much, as there's a connect, both for players and fans," he added.
Kohli highlights the unique aspect of IPL
Kohli pointed out the unique aspect of the IPL that fosters interaction among players from various teams, which is relatively uncommon in other cricket tournaments, including ICC global events. This aspect of the IPL enhances the camaraderie and competitiveness in the league, making it a cherished platform for players and fans alike.
"You do play all your tournaments which is one team versus another. ICC tournaments come every now and then, but even in ICC tournaments, you don't interact with other players or see the other team, so often," Kohli continued.
"But in IPL, you're probably meeting every team just every second or third day, and that's the beauty of IPL. You are playing in different conditions in a different city with a different team. Everybody has a different kind of determination at various stages of the tournament and such magical moments are being created," he added.
Virat Kohli's impeccable record in IPL
The esteemed batter and former captain of RCB, Kohli had an exceptional 2023 season, amassing a total of 639 runs across 14 IPL innings, which included two spectacular centuries. Kohli continues to lead the tournament's scoring charts with a record 7,263 runs and holds the distinction of scoring the most centuries in the IPL, with seven to his credit.
Averaging 43.51 with a strike rate of 135.45, Kohli's performance as an opener is noteworthy, scoring 3611 runs in 98 matches. His statistics batting at No. 3 are equally impressive, with 2815 runs at an average of 35.19 and a strike rate of 123.79, underscoring his versatility and dominance in the tournament's history.
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