Indian cricket team star batter Virat Kohli received a rousing ovation from the fans during the RCB Unbox event at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Kohli has been a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise since the first IPL season back in 2008 and over the years, the fans honoured him with the nickname 'King Kohli'. However, during the event, Kohli asked the host Danish Sait and the fans to not call him 'king' as he feels embarrassed every time he hears it and even revealed a conversation with Faf du Plessis about the topic.
"We need to get to Chennai pretty quickly tonight. We have a charter flight, so we don't have much time."
"Firstly, you need to stop calling me that word (King). Please call me Virat. Don't call me that word (king), I was just telling Faf du Plessis that I feel embarrassed every year when you call me that word. So just call me Virat, please, from now on, don't use that word, it's very embarrassing for me," Kohli said.
Kohli hoped to emulate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru women's WPL winning feat and add the IPL trophy to the team's cabinet in the upcoming edition of the league, starting from March 22.
The Royal Challengers defeated Delhi Capitals on Sunday to clinch the Women's Premier League in the second edition itself, but their male counterparts have been waiting for the title-winning moment for the last 16 years.
"It was absolutely amazing. When they won it (WPL), we were watching. Hopefully, we can double it up with the trophies and that will be something truly special," said Kohli during the RCB Unbox event.
Kohli, who will start his 17th season with the RCB in IPL 2024, said he would bank on his skillsets and experience to translate the dream of winning the IPL trophy into reality this year.
"That's a dream of mine to know what it feels like winning an IPL trophy. I will be here, be a part of the team that wins the trophy for the first time. "I will try my very best with my abilities, my experience to be able to do that for the fans and the franchise," said the former captain of RCB.
(With PTI inputs)