Venkatesh Iyer Demands Virat Kohli’s Captaincy at RCB
In a surprising revelation, RCB all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has expressed his desire to play under Virat Kohli‘s captaincy in the IPL. This comes despite Kohli stepping down from the role in 2022 and the presence of multiple title-winning captains like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma in the league.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Candid Confession
RCB spent a significant Rs 7 crore to acquire Venkatesh Iyer in the mini-auction. Despite limited opportunities in the playing XI for IPL 2026, the Madhya Pradesh batter has become an integral part of the squad. In a candid interview with Cricbuzz, Iyer was asked about the IPL captain he would have loved to play under, and his answer was unequivocal: Virat Kohli.
“Despite other captains winning multiple IPL trophies, like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, I didn’t hesitate to answer Virat Kohli as the captain I would have loved to play under,” Iyer said. He further named Eoin Morgan as the best captain he has played under in the IPL, during his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Match-Winning Partnership with Kohli
With Rajat Patidar injured, Venkatesh got his chance in the main XI for RCB’s crucial IPL 2026 match against the Punjab Kings. The left-handed batter forged a vital partnership with Virat Kohli that stole the show. The duo played aggressively, with Kohli complementing Iyer to perfection as RCB clinched a playoff spot.
After the game, Iyer was in awe of Kohli’s guidance during the innings. “I was lucky that Virat Kohli was batting out there with me. He gave me a few key pointers and valuable advice during the batting. He kept helping me,” Iyer stated.
Justifying the Price Tag
Despite spending a hefty amount on him, RCB initially preferred Devdutt Padikkal over Iyer. The 28-year-old patiently waited for his opportunity, and when it arrived, he grabbed it swiftly. On a batting-friendly pitch, Iyer slammed an unbeaten 73 off just 40 balls, striking at an impressive rate of 182.
This quickfire knock propelled RCB to a formidable total of 222, which proved enough to beat the Punjab Kings by 23 runs, securing their place in the playoffs. Iyer’s innings not only justified his Rs 7 crore price tag but also highlighted his ability to perform under pressure.
Legacy of Virat Kohli’s Captaincy
RCB appointed a young Virat Kohli as their permanent captain in 2013. Over the next nine years, Kohli led the side to the 2016 IPL final, though they fell short of winning the title. While he couldn’t bring an IPL trophy to Bangalore, there is no doubt that Kohli developed many key players under his watchful eye and became a fan favorite. Venkatesh Iyer’s admiration for Kohli is a testament to the leadership and impact the batting legend continues to have on his teammates.
