The Bangalore Franchise got off to a winning start in the Indian T20 League 2023, defeating Mumbai in their first game. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis were the match's main architects, guiding the team to an 8-wicket victory over the five-time champions.
"King Kohli", as people often refer to Virat, was at his absolute best as he scored 82 runs in 49 balls to take his team through in front of their home crowd. Now, the former team skipper has revealed that, even though with love, he prefers fans not call him the "King."
"People tell me King out of love, but I personally don't prefer it. Like 'Ee Sala Cup Namdhe', don't say 'King' (smiles)," he said.
In the meantime, former England captain Michael Vaughan has been all praises for the former Indian skipper after his knock against Mumbai. Vaughan stated that he frequently asks his children to watch Virat bat because the Indian batter is one of the best players to watch in full swing.
"When Virat Kohli bats, I always go and knock on my kids'
"He makes batting look so easy. Some of those strokes, his balance, his timing, all around the ground, the drives down the ground, over extra cover, that little flick off his hip for six, and those little kind of steering wheel shots through midwicket, he's a joy to watch," he added.
Kohli was Bangalore's leading scorer in the game. He and Du Plessis put on a brilliant 148-run opening stand to take the game away from the opposition while chasing a tricky 172-run target at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Virat Kohli's statement
Aaj se koi kuch nahi bolega bhai, Thike na?
โ Aditya Ighe (@Cricketwithadi) April 4, 2023
He is not just a king , He is the genius ๐
โ Sabuj (@sabuj471) April 4, 2023
ok then we will call you GOD
โ CS (@DarkPhantom_18) April 4, 2023
โ Rishabh Pandey (@RAVINDU_PANDEY) April 4, 2023
โEe Sala cup nahiโ the captain already announced. Rcb fans go to sleep now.
โ Nadim. (@nadimspeaks) April 4, 2023
Rightly said ๐
โ Indian_เคญเคพเคฐเคคเฅเคฏ (@im_bhartiya03) April 4, 2023
That's why virat is one of my fav cricketer ๐#runmachine
Viro are the best for Indian team in present generation.
Hum bolenge... Kya kar loge King Kohli..??๐ ๐
โ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข (@SaurabhTripathS) April 4, 2023
Even, he knows that he doesn't deserve this much hype
โ RohitianByHeart(2) (@heartRohitan2) April 4, 2023
any man who must say, I am the king in no true king ~ Tywin Lannister
โ GAURAV SHARMA (@6ft_bunny) April 4, 2023
ok I'll call him Emperor
โ Ritvik (@kohli_fanatic) April 4, 2023