IPL 2022: “King Kohli has arrived” – Former RCB captain joins team hotel ahead of the tournament

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli has joined the team hotel in Mumbai to participate in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Kohli travelled back to spend some quality time with his family and daughter Vamika after the two-match series against Sri Lanka. After a much-needed break, the 33-year-old has checked into RCB’s team hotel.

He will now undergo mandatory isolation for three days in the hotel before he can join the rest of the teammates in the training. RCB took to social media to announce Kohli’s arrival. They captioned the post as:

“King Kohli has arrived! That’s it. That’s the news. @imVkohli #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2022 #Mission2022 #ViratKohli.”

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has been the heartthrob of the RCB, having represented them since IPL 2008. He remains the only player to date to play for one single franchise.

This will be the first time Virat Kohli will not step out to toss in nine years after stepping down from leadership roles after IPL 2021. However, he will still be an integral part of the squad and the franchise will rely heavily on him with the bat.

Kohli is currently the highest run-scorer in the competition with 6283 runs in 207 matches. The talismanic run-scorer will be keen to add some more to his tally with no additional responsibilities on his shoulder. Virat Kohli will be available from RCB’s first game against Punjab Kings on March 27.

“Workload was the main factor” – Virat Kohli on leaving captaincy

Kohli recently opened up on his decision to leave RCB captaincy and said the workload was the major factor. He took over the baton from Daniel Vettori in 2013 and came close to winning the elusive title in 2016 but lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“Firstly workload was the main factor and I did want to be dishonest towards my responsibility. If I cannot give 120% to something, I am not someone who would hold onto something, I am not attached to something like that and that was always very clear in my mind,” Kohli said on Star Sports.

It remains to be seen whether Virat Kohli manages to guide RCB to their maiden IPL title with no additional burden on his shoulders.

Read: IPL 2022: What are the changes in bio-bubble rules made by BCCI?