'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
From leading the India U19 side to World Cup victory in 2008 to captaining Indian cricket team in all the three formats, the road has been both inspiring, as well as interesting for the modern-day cricket great, Virat Kohli.
Similarly, in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he started as a struggling teenager and is currently one of the most paid cricketers of the mega-league. The Delhi-born cricketer highly evolved in the tournament from 2008 to 2018. In this piece, we look at the journey of Kohli in these 11 years through pictures.
2008- A struggling start to a legacy
If you think that legends are born, you are completely wrong. The way Virat Kohli started his IPL journey is a living example of how hard work and dedication can take you from earth to the stars. In the maiden edition of the league, he made paltry 165 runs in the 13 matches at an average of 15.
Virat was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore at 20 lakhs as part of their U-23 quota after his excellent performances in U19 World Cup.
2009- New season yet no big change
Well, when you don't start something on a flying note, you expect a breakthrough at least in the second attempt. However, it didn't happen in the case of Virat Kohli. Although RCB made it to the finals of the tournament, Virat couldn't make it count.
He improved his numbers from the first season, scoring 246 runs in the 16 matches, yet it was not enough to get him in the reckoning.
2010- Leaping the ladder slowly and steadily
No, don't think Virat did wonders so early. In the third edition of IPL as well, Virat finished with an intermediate performance. At an average of 27, he made 307 runs in the 16 games, which was though better from the previous two seasons.
2011- Finally showing the world that I'm not just another player
This is when the world saw the glimpses of a legend in making. In 2011 season, Virat came up with a different attitude and it largely affected his performance. He scored over 550 runs, including some eye-catching knocks in the pressure situation.
Meanwhile, it must be said that Royal Challengers Bangalore had just retained Kohli before overhauling their team in the auction, which in a way says that think-tank of the franchise was good at identifying a star in him.
2012- Struggling yet confident
If you think that everything goes well once you get in the reckoning, you are again wrong. Bad times don't knock the door before making the entry. Same was the case with Kohli, after doing exceedingly well in 2011 edition, he had an average 2012 IPL, scoring 364 runs in the 16 games.
However, he didn't give up as he was seen working even harder thereafter.
2013- They knew a batting star, but it was time to show them the leader
If you are wondering that where India got its aggressive skipper, then you must watch some games of IPL 2013. It was the season when Virat Kohli made his captaincy debut for RCB.
People usually diminish when they are offered more responsibilities, however, for Virat, it was vice-versa. The right-handed batsman scored 634 runs at a healthy average of 46, finishing as third highest run-getter of the season. Hence making the world believe that the more the responsibility, the better the performance.
2014- Time for a roller coaster
Things get better with time is a myth. They can get worse from good as well. Excellent 2014 season was followed by a downcast show as Kohli failed to make an impact both as a batsman as well as captain of RCB in IPL 2015.
He made meagre 354 runs while Bangalore also ended the season at the bottom of the table.
2015- The only difference between common people and stars is that the latter learn from the mistakes
Well, doesn't matter who you are, life never hesitates to show the dark days. However, how one comes out of the downfall is what creates the stars.
After a forgettable previous season, Virat made a strong comeback in the eighth edition of IPL, crossing 500-run mark with the bat, which helped Royal Challengers Bangalore qualify for the playoffs of the season.
2016- With patience and consistent hard work, you can touch the sky
There was the struggle, fortune, more struggle but now it was time to show something bigger and better. In this IPL season, Virat sent a strong message to the whole world, revealing the legend living inside him.
He made career-best 973 runs in the tournament at an astonishing average of 81, including four centuries and seven fifties. His flamboyant show steered RCB to the finals of the edition.
2017- The game knows no mercy
The things were going all well. However, suddenly everything changed in a day as the game surely knows no mercy. A severe injury forced Kohli to sit out of the initial matches of IPL 2017. He though returned back, however, couldn't do much, scoring 309 runs at an average of 30.
His inconsistency with the bat affected the RCB's overall performance in the tournament as well.
2018- Doesn't matter who you are, you can't undo the misfortune
To win a mega trophy, what do you need as a team? Star players, combination, a good leader, but it's still not enough if you lack the luck. The horrible tenth edition of IPL with the bat was followed by a comprehensive last season. Kohli made scintillating 530 runs at a par good average of 48, however, failing again to steer Royal Challengers Bangalore to the playoffs of the tournament.
The franchise finished sixth in the points table with 6 wins in the 14 games.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
