In a recent revelation that has stirred nostalgia among cricket fans, former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) owner Vijay Mallya shared that he was personally responsible for selecting Virat Kohli during the inaugural U-19 player draft ahead of the 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL). At a time when Kohli was fresh off leading India to victory in the U-19 World Cup, few could have predicted the massive impact he would go on to have — but Mallya saw the potential early.
According to Mallya, RCB’s strategy going into the first IPL season was focused on building a team with both local talent and international stars. While Delhi Daredevils, Kohli’s home team, had the first opportunity to pick him, they opted for another U-19 player, Pradeep Sangwan. That decision opened the door for RCB, and Mallya seized the chance. Trusting his instincts, Mallya brought Kohli into the RCB setup for a modest sum of $30,000 — a move that would later prove to be one of the most influential in IPL history.
Mallya has often spoken about the importance of gut instinct in business and sport. In his own words, he said, “When I bid for RCB and I bid for Virat, my inner instinct told me that I could not have made better choices.” It was a bold call, especially for a player who, at that time, had no senior-level international exposure. But Mallya’s vision was clear — he wanted players who could define the future of the franchise, and Kohli fit that vision perfectly.
Over the years, Kohli became the face of RCB, serving as captain for nearly a decade and amassing more than 7,000 runs for the team. Throughout this journey, Mallya’s early faith in the young batsman was often acknowledged by Kohli himself. In a past interview, Kohli said he was grateful to Mallya for giving him the opportunity to play for RCB, a decision that shaped not only his IPL career but also his evolution into one of India’s greatest modern cricketers.
Despite stepping away from the franchise amid legal and financial controversies, Mallya’s legacy within RCB remains intact due to that singular decision to back Virat Kohli in 2008. Fans often look back at the Mallya-Kohli connection as one of the most significant early chapters in the team’s history. The trust shown by Mallya was repaid with loyalty, runs, and passion — even though the elusive IPL title remained out of reach until 2025.
As RCB finally lifted their first IPL trophy in 2025, many reflected on the foundations laid in the early years. And at the heart of it was Mallya’s decision to believe in a young, determined Virat Kohli. The story serves as a powerful reminder of how one visionary choice — made by Mallya over 17 years ago — can change the destiny of a player, a franchise, and an entire league.