Vijay Mallya reveals the story behind Virat Kohli's selection in RCB

In a recent podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani, Vijay Mallya, the inaugural owner of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), opened up about the pivotal moment when he chose Virat Kohli during the first season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kohli, now a stalwart of the team for 18 years, celebrated a significant milestone this year as RCB clinched its first IPL title. Mallya recounted his experiences bidding for three IPL franchises, narrowly losing the Mumbai Indians to the Ambani family before securing RCB for $112 million in 2008, a sum that translates to roughly ₹600–700 crore. He expressed his vision for the team, stating, "I viewed the IPL as a transformative opportunity for Indian cricket. I wanted to build a team that reflected the lively and glamorous spirit of Bangalore. Investing $112 million was a testament to my belief in RCB's potential, as I aimed for it to symbolize excellence on and off the field, hence the connection to Royal Challenge, our leading liquor brand." Mallya further elaborated on his strategy for assembling a powerful team, highlighting his excitement in selecting Kohli, who had just made a mark at the Under-19 World Cup. "I took a chance on him based on a gut feeling that he was destined for greatness," he shared. In addition to Kohli, Mallya brought in iconic players like Rahul Dravid, believing it was essential to mix local talent with international stars like Jacques Kallis and Anil Kumble. Reflecting on Kohli's journey, Mallya expressed pride in having identified his extraordinary talent at such a young age, noting, "Eighteen years later, he remains a vital part of the team, proving to be one of the greatest cricketers India has ever produced."