Did Virat Kohli take a ‘pay cut’ to stay at RCB? Here’s what Parthiv Patel says

Bengaluru/Bhubaneswar: Team India star Virat Kohli was on Wednesday retained by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Kohli shared an emotional message on the official YouTube channel of RCB, saying his best with RCB is yet to come.

“I will be there with my heart and soul for RCB. The journey continues. When I was contacted, (I) did not have any second thoughts at all. It has been an amazing journey over the years, three more years with the franchise that means so much to me,” said Kohli in a video posted on the official YouTube channel of RCB.

“I believe the best is yet to come and I have a special feeling about what is to come next season onwards,” he added.

Meanwhile, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has claimed that Kohli has taken a ‘pay cut’ for the ‘larger interest’ of the team. Patel said that Kohli’s reduced salary would help RCB in the auction.

“Virat Kohli has taken a pay cut for the larger interest of the team. We all know how good a player he is and how good a leader he is. So he has definitely done this so that RCB can have just that little extra in the auctions,” Parthiv said on Star Sports.

Kohli has been with RCB since its inception and captained the side in nine editions of the IPL. The Indian Test team skipper recently announced that he would step down as captain of RCB for the next IPL season.