Virat Kohli’s team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, after being committed since 2008, facing immense heartbreaks, took home their first ever trophy on June 3, 2025. RCB had a royal win as they defeated Punjab Kings by six runs. For the entire team, and especially for Virat Kohli, this win was personal. He hugged his wife, Anushka, and cried like a baby as RCB lifted the trophy in the air. Now, as RCB fans celebrate Virat and the team’s win, his first TV interview went viral, where he was seen analysing India’s 2007 World Cup Plans.
When Virat Kohli gave his first TV interview at the age of 18
Virat had made a name for himself in New Delhi’s domestic cricket circuit since a very young age. He was 18 when he played his Ranji match debut for Delhi opposite Tamil Nadu in November 2006. An interview of the cricketer went viral where he was seen sitting with his then teammate, Puneet Bisht, where he was seen talking to Amit Bhatia. Kohli shared how talented the Indian cricket team has been and shared:
“Indian team bahut hi talented hai, I think. Batting line toh world mei best mana jaata hai on paper, but I think but matter yeh karega kaisa woh field pe perform karte hai. Balling line kafi achi hai, naye ballers hai, naya talent. Jaise Munaf, Zaheer, Sreesanth young hai aur bahut experience mil chuka hai etna toh kafi chances hai India ko jeetne ka.
When Virat Kohli, in his first TV interview, shared whether the Indian team was balanced
He was asked if the Indian team was balanced when it came to batting and bowling, and a teenage Kohli back then gave his opinion on how the cricket team would fare under the leadership of Rahul Dravid. During that time, a controversy was doing the rounds related to Virender Sehwag being selected when the chief selector, Dilip Vengsarkar, shared that Sehwag was taken as Rahul Dravid, the then captain, insisted. Kohli shared:
“Ji balance toh Indian team ka bana hai esliye toh bowling batting ko dhyan mei rakhte huei hi team leke gaye hai. Matter yeh karega ki kaise field pe gel up karte hai aur as aunit perform karte hai. Mei toh manta hu Dravid ke part mei theek tha kyuki World Cup is a big tournament aur waha aapko experience chahiye. You can’t count on youth that much. Mere hisab se theek decision hai kyuki woh bahut experienced hai aur bahut run bana chuke hai India ke liye.”
When Virat Kohli, at 18, had a great reply for cricketers not focusing on the game and endorsing 30 brands
Virat had played for Delhi against Karnataka on the day his father passed away. He went ahead and made 90 runs, and the maturity that a young Kohli showed at that time was something no one can do daily. Virat, who has been with Royal Challengers Bangalore 2008, has been known as the face of the Indian cricket team. A young Kohli at 18 was asked somewhere if it makes a difference that in free time instead of concentrating on the game, cricketers are modelling, doing ads and making money. Each player is endorsed by 30 brands. Kohli said:
“Meko nai lagta khel pe koi asar padta hai agar aap perform nai karte toh yeh saari baatein bahar aati hai. Agar aap jeete rahenge toh koi endorsement ki baat nai karega.”
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