In 2013, how did Virat Kohli coerce KL Rahul to sign with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru? LSG Skipper Discloses

Now managing the Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul has played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for ten years. However, the handsome batter-wicketkeeper still has feelings for his first IPL team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), deep down. Rahul had periods with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings after his time with RCB, and he eventually made his home with LSG in 2022.

But not many people were aware of Rahul’s first IPL deal or the fact that he was coerced into signing. Rahul said on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel that he was forced to join the Bengaluru-based team by Virat Kohli, the captain of the RCB at the time.

The only thing Virat said when he arrived at ITC Gardenia with coach Ray Jennings and other support personnel was, “Would you want to sign this contract and play for RCB?” I thought, Are you serious? I’ve always had that dream. Then he clarified, “I’m kidding.” You must sign this contract; there is no other alternative. Virat told me it would be a rollercoaster journey when I signed. Rahul said, “You’re going to have a great time over the next few months,” as he continued to read the narrative.

“The amount of time it would have taken me to be the player by playing just Ranji Trophy would have probably taken it 7-8 seasons, given what I learned (at RCB) in those two months.” I learned and experienced so much in those two months during the IPL, and everything happened so quickly,” he said.

Rahul was not able to secure a spot at the elite RCB, but his IPL debut that year paid off for the Karnataka batsman the next year. A year later, Rahul made his debut for India. Over time, he developed into one of the key players in the Indian batting lineup. Rahul scored 452 runs, including a century, in 11 games at the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Rahul acknowledged that life sometimes has different ideas than what the 32-year-old had planned to complete at RCB. “I also wish I could have played for Bangalore.” That was where I had begun, and that’s where I would have liked to end. However, Rahul said, “The best thing about the IPL is that you get to play for various teams with different players.