Virat Kohli is the only cricketer who has played for only one franchise since 2008. Fresh after winning the U19 World Cup in 2008, Virat Kohli was signed up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Since then, Kohli has featured in every single season for the franchise. Recently, the former RCB captain recalled walking into a dressing room filled with Indian cricket legends during his debut season in 2008. “The first time I played in IPL, I was in complete awe. I hadn’t really met anyone before—except maybe Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh from our North Zone days—so walking into a dressing room with legends like Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid felt like fantasy land,” Kohli said in a chat on JioHotstar. As Kohli walked into the dressing room, he also realized that his game was not upto the mark compared to the legends at that time and had felt pressure. “But with that excitement came pressure. I knew my game wasn’t quite at that level yet, and I had to prove myself. That pressure eventually caught up with me in the first season. Still, the experience was unforgettable,” he added. Also Read: 'If I say anything now, it will create controversy': Rahane on Eden Gardens pitch 'Wasn't able to crack the IPL in a big way early on' Kohli also reflected on his role in the team during his early years with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite his talent, he wasn’t immediately given a top-order slot and had to wait his turn. “In my first three years with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, I didn't get many opportunities to bat in the top order. I was usually sent lower down. So, I wasn't really able to crack the IPL in a big way early on, apart from the occasional impactful knock,” he said. That began to change in the 2009 season. The conditions were more favorable, and Kohli started finding his rhythm. “The pitches that year suited my game—the ball was coming onto the bat nicely, and I could play my shots more freely. It was definitely an interesting phase in my career,” he explained. By 2011, Kohli had cemented his place at No. 3, marking the beginning of what would become a legendary IPL career. Through the highs and lows, Kohli maintained one clear approach: playing according to the needs of the moment. “It was never about ego... It's always been about understanding the game situation, and that's something I've always taken pride in. I want to play according to what the situation demands,” he said. Virat Kohli is currently the all-time highest scorer in IPL history with 8168 runs from 256 matches. In IPL 2025, Kohli has notched up 164 runs from four matches with an average of 54.67 and a strike rate close to 144.