Vijay Mallya Brought Virat Kohli To RCB At THIS Amount, 18 Years Later, He Lifts The IPL 2025 Trophy

After 18 long seasons under one franchise, Virat Kohli could not hold back tears as Royal Challengers Bangalore secured the prestigious winner’s trophy at the Indian Premier League 2025. When the team lifted the maiden trophy last night, on June 3, 2025, the cricketing world erupted, but it was a special win for Virat Kohli. The sight of Kohli breaking into tears, hands raised to the sky at the Narendra Modi Stadium, was a full-circle moment for both the cricketer and his loyal fans.

For the ace cricketer, who recently took his retirement from test cricket, this win hit home. And it wasn’t just about winning the trophy. It was about the years of resilience, heartbreaks, near-misses, and unwavering loyalty to RCB, and a financial journey that mirrored Virat Kohli’s rise as one of the greatest players in IPL history. Beginning with a modest pay, the cricketer spent the years perfecting his game, gradually cementing his status as a superstar of the cricket world.

Virat Kohli’s IPL journey with RCB started 18 years ago with a modest amount

When Kohli was picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008, he was no superstar but a promising youngster with bright potential. He was freshly crowned the winning captain of the U-19 World Cup, overlooked by his home franchise, Delhi Daredevils. When he was assessed for the Indian Premier League during the auction, it was Vijay Mallya, the former owner of RCB, who took the chance, picking him for a modest amount of Rs. 12 lakh. 

Back in 2008, Virat Kohli was just another promising youngster, yet to prove his mettle in international cricket. But over the years, as the league grew, so did Kohli. He delivered consistent performances with an unmatched hunger and infectious on-field aggression.

Kohli became the face of RCB in no time, and his salary shot up significantly

Kohli’s consistent performance soon earned him the unwavering trust of RCB. By 2011, he had become the face of the franchise, and his salary shot to a staggering Rs. 8.28 crore. Three years later, the figure jumped to Rs. 12.5 crore. And then came his record-breaking season: in 2016, the star cricketer secured a total of 973 runs, a feat that remains unmatched to date. After this match, Kohli’s place was solidified as a T20 legend.

In 2018, RCB made headlines once again when it retained its star player for a jaw-dropping Rs. 17 crore, the highest fee in the league’s history at the time. In 2021, Virat Kohli left his duties as the captain of the franchise.

Despite relinquishing captaincy, Kohli remained the backbone of RCB. The next year, in 2022, the cricketer took a voluntary pay cut to Rs. 15 crore to allow room for team restructuring, demonstrating yet again his leadership and commitment to the franchise’s vision.

2025: The historic year for Royal Challengers Bangalore

In IPL’s 18th edition, Virat Kohli donned the jersey No. 18, and was retained by the franchise for a whopping salary of Rs. 21 crore, an all-time high in his career, a 40% hike from the previous year. This hike was much deserved, given Kohli’s prestigious track record of 8004 IPL runs, 8 centuries, and 55 fifties to his name, making him the all-time top scorer of the league.

A highly awaited win that came with loud cheers and happy tears

In the 2025 IPL, RCB once again reached the finals, and all eyes were on the team and its former captain, desperately waiting and praying for the winning trophy. At the final showdown, on June 3, 2025, after that final whistle, the cameras panned to a teary-eyed Kohli, whose eyes were communicating the emotions of all these years. 

RCB won the IPL 2025 by six runs, gaining victory over PBKS in the final, after a season of dominant performances, including Kohli’s half-century in the semifinal. For Kohli, RCB’s victory was more than just a team milestone; it was his redemption.

As Kohli hugged his teammates and looked up at the heavens, his wife, Anushka Sharma, was seen cheering uncontrollably. It was a cinematic end to a story written over 18 years. The cricketer later posted a heartfelt note on Instagram that read:

"This team made the dream possible, a season I’ll never ever forget. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ride over the last 2.5 months. This one is for the fans of RCB who never ever left our side in the worst of times. This one is for all the years of heartbreak and disappointment. This is for every inch of effort left on the field playing for this team. As far as the IPL trophy is concerned, you’ve made me wait 18 years to be able to lift you and celebrate my friend, but it’s been absolutely worth the wait."

RCB’s former owner, Vijay Mallya, took to X (formerly Twitter) following the team’s win, celebrating the dream-come-true moment. The businessman, who has picked some legendary cricketers for the team, including Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle, wrote:

“When I founded RCB, it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster, and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years. I also had the honour of picking Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss and Mr. 360 AB de Villiers, who remain an indelible part of RCB history. Finally, the IPL trophy arrives in Bengaluru. Congratulations and thanks again to all who made my dream come true. RCB fans are the very best, and they deserve the IPL trophy. Ee Sala Cup Bengaluru baruthe !”

Through all the ups and downs, Virat Kohli has remained synonymous with Royal Challengers Bangalore. He led the team for eight seasons, built its identity, and remained its soul even when he was no longer a captain. Whether or not he will return to the match is unclear, but his bond with the franchise will remain!

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