When one talks about the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, the first name that comes to mind is Virat Kohli. The legendary batsman has been associated with the franchise since the inception of the league's in 2008 and has become a formidable figure in its history. Kohli has been the face and captain of RCB since he took over as captain in the middle of the 2012 season. He has been an ambassador for the franchise in T20 cricket. But despite his impressive performances on the field with the bat, Kohli has not managed to lift the IPL trophy ever, either as a player or captain.He came within touching distance in 2016, when he re-wrote the record books by scoring 973 runs in the tournament as he single-handedly took his team to the final. But it was not to be as his team lost to SunRisers Hyderabad.The 2021 season will be Kohli's last chance to win the coveted league as the RCB captain.Virat Kohli on Sunday made it clear that he will continue playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore but won't be captaining the team beyond the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season.Also Read- Virat Kohli to step down as India T20 captain after World CupKohli dropped his second bombshell this week as he confirmed the news in a video posted by RCB on social media. The 32-year-old also gave up the captaincy of India's T20 team to manage his immense workload, saying he would not continue in the role after this year's World Cup in the UAE.Virat Kohli to step down from RCB captaincy after #IPL2021“This will be my last IPL as captain of RCB. I’ll continue to be an RCB player till I play my last IPL game. I thank all the RCB fans for believing in me and supporting me.”: Virat Kohli#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/QSIdCT8QQM— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 19, 2021Here's what Kohli said in an emotional video, which was shared on social media by RCB:“This will be my last IPL as captain of RCB. I’ll continue to be an RCB player till I play my last IPL game. I thank all the RCB fans for believing in me and supporting me,” the RCB skipper said in a statement."It wasn't an easy decision but one that has been well thought of and in the best interest of this wonderful franchise."The RCB family remains close to my heart as we continue to strive to achieve excellence. As I have mentioned previously in many occasions, I will only play for RCB until my retirement from the game of cricket.Kohli, who took over as RCB skipper full time from Daniel Vettori in 2013, has yet to lead the side to an IPL title."I spoke to the management this evening. This was something that was on my mind... I needed the space to refresh, regroup and be absolutely clear in how to move forward," Kohli said.RCB currently ranks third in the IPL 2021 points table with 5 wins from 7 matches. They will resume their campaign against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai on September 19.Also Read- Make KL Rahul vice-captain, groom him as future leader, says Sunil Gavaskar
Royal Challengers Bangalore champion fast bowler Harshal Patel came close to breaking a long-standing Indian Premier League (IPL) but fell 1 wicket short as his team crashed out of the 2021 season after a 4-wicket defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator on Monday. Harshal picked up 2 for 19 from his 4 overs to finish his IPL 2021 campaign with 32 wickets and equal Dwayne Bravo's record for the most scalps in a single season. The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder had achieved the amazing feat in the 2013 season. The right-arm pacer had the chance to better Bravo's record in his final over when Sunil Narine top-edged his slower delivery towards mid-on but Devdutt Padikkal dropped the catch. Harshal is the only player to pick a hat-trick this season, against the Mumbai Indians in Dubai last month. He is also one of three to pick a five-wicket haul (5 for 27) this season alongside Punjab Kings' Arshdeep Singh (5 for 32) and KKR's Andre Russell (5 for 15) Harshal's performance meanwhile, went in vain as KKR chase down 139 against RCB with 4 wickets in hand and 2 balls to spare to set up Qualifier 2 against Delhi Capitals on October 13.Most wickets in an IPL season: Harshal Patel (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – 32 wickets in IPL 2021 Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings) – 32 wickets in IPL 2013 Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals) – 30 wickets in IPL 2020 Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians) – 28 wickets in IPL 2011 James Faulkner (Rajasthan Royals) – 28 wickets in IPL 2013The match turned out to be the final match for Virat Kohli as captain of the RCB. Kohli, who took over as RCB's full-time captain in 2013 from Daniel Vettori, had said midway during the season that he would give up captaincy after completing of IPL 2021.It was a disappointing end to one of the most talked about captaincy tenures in the IPL as Kohli finished without a trophy despite leading the franchise for 8 seasons.“I have given my best. I don’t know how the response has been, but I have given 120% to this franchise every time, which is something I will now do as a player. It is a great time to regroup and restructure for the next three years with people who will take this ahead,” the outgoing skipper said."I have tried my best to create a culture where youngsters could come in & play with freedom & belief.I have given 120% to RCB every time, which is something I will now do as a player.”You have been an inspiration, role model and the torchbearer of RCB. #ThankYouCaptainKohli pic.twitter.com/tlC0uMH2iW— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 11, 2021“I don’t see myself playing anywhere else. Loyalty matters more to me than worldly pleasures. I would be in the RCB till the last day I play in the IPL.”We fought till the end and never gave up but it just wasn’t our night. Thank you, 12th Man Army for all your support this season. We will be back next year with the same Challenger Spirit. #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #RCBvKKR pic.twitter.com/55qcDByZnu— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 11, 2021Also Read- T20 World Cup 2021 Schedule, All Teams, Host, Time Table, Venue
