Former India captain Virat Kohli has praised the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a demanding and distinctive tournament that presents fresh challenges for players regularly, with matches held in diverse conditions, cities, and against various teams.
Kohli also feels that fans have also forged a strong connection with the cash-rich league with each passing year.
Kohli, representing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, emphasized that while players participate in bilateral series and ICC tournaments, where teams compete against each other, they often lack opportunities to interact with players from other teams. However, the IPL offers precisely that chance. Kohli highlighted the allure of the IPL lies in the daily challenges it presents to players. He expressed these sentiments ahead of the 2024 edition of the IPL, slated to commence on March 22.
Speaking exclusively to Star Sports, Kohli said: “You do play all your tournaments which is one team versus another. ICC tournaments come every now and then, but even in ICC tournaments you don’t interact with other players or see the other team, so often.”
“But in IPL, you’re probably meeting every team just every 2nd or 3rd day, and that’s the beauty of IPL. You are playing in different conditions in a different city with a different team. Everybody has a different kind of determination at various stages of the tournament and such magical moments are been created,” the former RCB skipper added.
Kohli also feels that despite playing against players from different nations, the IPL has also forged a connection between the players and fans. “I absolutely love IPL, also because of the camaraderie you share, so many new players you play with, and so many players that you’ve known for a long time who are not from your own country, whom you don’t see often. There’s a reason why everyone loves IPL so much, as there’s a connection both for players and fans,” said the run-machine.
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Kohli’s RCB will begin their IPL 2024 campaign against defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 22 in Chennai. Last year, the Faf du PLessis-led RCB had finished sixth in the points-table.
 on March 22 in Chennai.){kind=link}