Virat Kohli is one of the biggest names in the Indian Premier League and has attracted much media attention. He has been the backbone of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team since the inaugural edition in 2008. He has become synonymous with the RCB brand, leading the team as captain for eight seasons.

Kohli was retained by the RCB for ₹21 crore ahead of the IPL mega auction 2025. With this, he became the most expensive Indian retention in the history of the IPL. With record-breaking paychecks and retention, the upcoming IPL 2025 promises to be even bigger and better. This, in turn, paves the way for more excitement for die-hard cricket fans.

The tournament promises rewards for committed fans who support their teams unrelentingly. They stand a chance to win big and make their dreams come true through the IPL match Betting 2025 during live games.

Virat Kohli’s RCB Journey

Kohli was acquired by the RCB in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 from the U-19 Player Draft. The youngster had recently won the U19 World Cup as the team captain, finishing the tournament as the top scorer. His fine performances drove the Bengaluru-based team to purchase the prodigy for ₹12 lakh, his salary for the next three years.

Kohli’s importance in the RCB grew over the years, and the franchise retained him for ₹8.28 crore in 2011 and built their entire team around their rising star. Virat Kohli rose through the ranks, delivering with the bat consistently.

The right-handed batter was named RCB’s skipper in the 2013 season, and he was retained the year after for ₹12.5 crore. He had a record-breaking season in IPL 2016, smashing 973 runs, including four centuries.

Kohli was not only performing with his bat but also growing as a leader. He led RCB to the finals in 2026, although they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad. He had now attained an iconic stature at RCB and was retained in 2018 for ₹17 crore, becoming the highest-paid player in the league.

However, in the 2022 auction, when franchises reeled from the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown, Virat Kohli took a voluntary pay cut, reducing his salary to ₹15 crore.

In the IPL 2025 mega auction, as expected, Kohli was retained by RCB for ₹21 crore, breaching the ₹18 crore slot set for the most expensive retention in a team. Notably, Kohli is the only player who has played for a single franchise in the history of IPL.

Virat Kohli's Salary in IPL Since Year 2008:

- 2025 - ₹21 crore

- 2024 - ₹15 crore

- 2023 - ₹15 crore

- 2022 - ₹15 crore

- 2021 - ₹17 crore

- 2020 - ₹17 crore

- 2019 - ₹17 crore

- 2018 - ₹17 crore

- 2017 - ₹12.5 crore

- 2016 - ₹12.5 crore

- 2015 - ₹12.5 crore

- 2014 - ₹12.5 crore

- 2013 - ₹8.28 crore

- 2012 - ₹8.28 crore

- 2011 - ₹8.28 crore

- 2010 - ₹12 lakh

- 2009 - ₹12 lakh

- 2008 - ₹12 lakh

On comparing Kohli’s IPL 2008 salary with his 2025 salary, the value has increased by 17,400%. This staggering figure speaks volumes about the brand Kohli has become, and deservedly so. He is currently the all-time leading run-scorer in the history of IPL, with 8004 runs in 244 innings. This includes eight centuries and 55 half-centuries and a strike rate of more than 131.

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