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"Sher Ki Tarah Khelunga, Not As An Impact Player" - Virat Kohli To His RCB Teammate
Follow UsThe 36-year-old made it clear that he wants to give his all on the field, both while batting and fielding
Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Swastik Chikara, has revealed that the 36-year-old batting great intends to continue playing competitive cricket only as long as he is at peak fitness, and never as just an Impact Player.
According to Chikara, Kohli made it clear that he wants to give his all on the field, both while batting and fielding, and would step away from the game the moment he couldn’t do that.
Speaking to RevSportz, Chikara recalled Kohli’s words: “Virat bhaiya said, 'Jab tak cricket khelunga, jab tak main poora fit hoon. Ye Impact Player ki tarah nahi khelunga. Main sher ki tarah khelunga (I will play cricket for as long as I am completely fit. I won't play as an Impact Player. I will play like a lion).
'I will field for the full 20 overs and then bat. The day I have to play as an Impact Player, I will quit cricket'.”
Kohli has already retired from Tests and T20Is but remains determined to represent India at the 2027 ODI World Cup. His next international outing could be the three-match ODI series in Australia this October.
The former India captain last played in the IPL 2025, where he enjoyed another stellar season with the bat - amassing 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, including eight half-centuries.
Earlier this year, Kohli also finally achieved what had eluded him for nearly two decades, as RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the grand finale, ending an 18-year wait for the elusive silverware.