Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Loyalty is everything to Virat Kohli. He has said that himself on various occasions and he showed just that with his gesture to remain at the Royal Challengers Bangalore. India's Test and ODI captain Kohli has time and again said that till the time he is playing the IPL, he will play for only one franchise which is the Bangalore team and staying true to his team, he even took a pay cut to remain with them for the coming cycle of three years.
Notably, Kohli, who is no longer the RCB skipper, has been retained by the franchise along with Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj. However, they could not find a spot in their retentions for last season's purple cap holder Harshal Patel or even Yuzvendra Chahal.
"The journey continues, I have been retained by RCB. When I was contacted, did not have any second thoughts at all. It has been an amazing journey over the years, three more years with the franchise that means so much to me. I believe the best is yet to come and I have a special feeling about what is to come next season onwards," said Kohli in a video posted by RCB
"Our fan base is amazing, management has been amazing with me and all other players. Renewed energy and a different version of me on the field. But I will be there with my heart and soul for RCB," he added.
Here is the video:
RCB left with 57 crore at players auction
To understand how Kohli took a pay cut it should be noted he was the team's first retention and the team spent INR 15 crores on him with Maxwell retained for INR 11 crores. In addition, Siraj was the third player to be retained for INR 7 crore.
However, Kohli was previously being paid INR 17 crores. And weighing on on the same, former India and RCB player Parthiv Patel said that Kohli's decision may have been in the larger interest of the team since him taking 17 crores would have meant a lesser purse for the auction.
RCB spent a cumulative of 33 crore on the retentions, which leaves them with 57 crore when they sit to bid for players.
"I think he has taken a pay cut in the larger interest of the team. If he had taken Rs 17 crore, those Rs 2 crore would have been cut from their kitty. The larger interest of the team, he has taken that call and it’s the right call as well," Parthiv told Star Sports on Tuesday.
"We all know how good a player Virat Kohli is. It’s the right decision from him," he added.