Virat Kohli’s future in the Indian Premier League is once again the talking point as the 2026 season approaches. After leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru for over a decade and remaining their most iconic player, questions around his next move are gaining momentum.
Fans are wondering if the legendary India batter will call time on his IPL career, stay loyal to RCB, or explore a new challenge with another franchise. His performance, leadership influence, and unmatched market appeal make any decision from Kohli a major headline for the league.
Is Virat Kohli Leaving RCB in 2026?
Virat Kohli has not signed a renewal for his commercial contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2026, which has triggered widespread speculation about his future with the team and the tournament itself.
Kohli is expected to be retained by RCB for the 2026 mini-auction, and there is currently no official announcement from either Kohli or RCB regarding a departure from the team.
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Virat Kohli's IPL 2025 Salary
Virat Kohli’s salary for IPL 2025 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru stood at ₹21 crore, making him the first Indian player to cross the ₹20 crore mark in the league.
This figure reflects a 40% increase from his previous seasons and positioned him as one of the highest-paid players in IPL history. After accounting for income tax deductions, his take-home earnings were approximately ₹12.81 crore for the season.
Did Virat Kohli Hint at IPL Retirement After 2026 Season?
Virat Kohli has not officially announced any plans to retire from the IPL after the 2026 season, but recent actions have fueled speculation. He reportedly refused to renew a commercial contract linked to Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2026. Additionally, Kohli declined the offer to continue as RCB captain, recommending Rajat Patidar instead, signaling a possible reduction in his leadership role.
Despite these signs, Kohli has publicly expressed his desire to keep playing for RCB. Following the team's maiden IPL title win in 2025, he stated, "I will play for RCB till my last day in the IPL," directly contradicting rumours of immediate retirement.
Virat Kohli’s RCB Legacy – 18 Seasons of Loyalty and Records
Virat Kohli’s career with Royal Challengers Bengaluru is defined by loyalty and phenomenal achievements over 18 seasons. Since joining RCB in the inaugural 2008 IPL season, he has been the face of the franchise, playing every season solely for them. Kohli captained RCB from 2013 to 2021, leading them to the IPL final in 2016 and ultimately to their maiden IPL title in 2025.
Here is that stats of the highest run-scorer in IPL history:
Statistic | Value |
IPL Seasons with RCB | 18 |
Total IPL Matches Played | 267 |
Total IPL Runs Scored | 7,971 |
IPL Batting Average | 39.55 |
IPL Strike Rate | 132.86 |
Most Runs in a Single IPL Season | 973 (2016) |
IPL Centuries | 8 |
Orange Caps Won | 2 (2016, 2024) |
RCB Captaincy Years | 2013–2021 |
RCB IPL Title | 2025 |
Highest IPL Partnerships |
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Could Virat Kohli Move to Another IPL Franchise in 2026?
Virat Kohli’s move to another IPL franchise in 2026 is highly unlikely based on current scenario. Kohli has reportedly declined to renew a commercial contract linked to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which involves branding and promotional commitments, but this refusal does not pertain to his playing contract.
There have been no official announcements about Kohli transferring to another team, and with the 2025 IPL season fresh in memory, speculation around his departure seems more related to commercial or ownership changes within RCB than a switch by the player himself.
Unless unforeseen developments occur before the player retention deadline in November 2025, Kohli is expected to remain with RCB for the 2026 season.
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