Vijay Mallya Explains Why RCB Signed Virat Kohli Before IPL 2008 Auction

In a recent interview on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Vijay Mallya discussed how he chose Virat Kohli ahead of the inaugural IPL season in 2008, following the youngster’s excellent performance at the ICC U-19 World Cup, which he won while captain.

From signing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru at his minimum price tag of Rs 12 lakh to emerging as the franchise’s most paid cricketer, Virat Kohli has enjoyed one such innings. Kohli initially made headlines in cricket world after leading India to championship victory at the 2008 U-19 World Cup and going on to sign a contract with RCB ahead of the first season of IPL, which was played in the same year.

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Why Vijay Mallya Chose Virat Kohli?

I chose Virat,”Vijay Mallya said to Raj Shamani on the latter’s YouTube channel. “There were young cricketers and it was draw by lots. I got to choose and straight away chose Virat.”

Right around the time they were picked for selection, they were competing in the U19 world cup, and I was simply impressed. So I selected him. And 18 years later, he remains there. He was a young boy that time. Full of energy, incredible talent and (now) one of the greatest Indian cricketers ever,” he said.

Vijay Mallya on Virat Kohli ❤️

WE LOVE YOU KOHLI pic.twitter.com/XPJDss0GOH

— ⚡ (@Mygoat8een) June 5, 2025

Little did RCB know that this teenager will go on to become one of the greatest batsman to have ever played the game.

Kohli has remained with RCB from the first season and even though other franchises have approached him, he has remained loyal to them, He continued to be the captain of the team and steered them into the IPL final in 2016 – a year in which he hit a record 973 runs. RCB however lost a heart-wrenching match to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the finals despite having the match in their control.

Kohli’s ambition of winning an IPL title with RCB was realised earlier this week, when they defeated Punjab Kings by six runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.