Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Virat Kohli has responded to social media chatter labelling him an “overseas player” in IPL 2026 after reports of him spending extended time in London with his family. The former India captain addressed the remarks with humour, dismissing the claims while reaffirming his identity as a domestic player in the league.

Kohli, who recently returned to India for the IPL season, made an immediate impact with a match-winning performance in the tournament opener, underlining that his form remains unaffected despite his time away from the country. His preparation for the season was relatively limited, following a break after India’s last ODI assignment in January before travelling to England.

The discussion gained traction after a light-hearted interaction in a video with RCB, where presenter Danish Sait, in his popular “Mr Nags” persona, joked about the team fielding “five overseas players.” Responding with a smile, Kohli said, “I don’t know, why are you asking me? Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player. Am I an overseas player?”—a remark that quickly circulated widely online.

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Despite the online criticism, Kohli’s focus appears firmly on cricket, particularly as RCB aim to defend their maiden IPL title secured last season. The veteran batter has remained central to the team’s plans, bringing both experience and consistency to the squad as they look to build on their historic success.

Reflecting on that long-awaited title win, Kohli spoke about the emotional release he experienced after years of near-misses with the franchise. He described the victory as a moment where “everything became light,” referencing the relief of finally overcoming a prolonged wait for silverware with RCB after 18 seasons.

Kohli also shared his broader perspective on success, emphasising that victories represent the culmination of sustained hard work, sacrifice, and commitment. He noted that while losses offer lessons, achieving success after persistent effort provides a sense of validation and renewed motivation, reinforcing his dedication to continue performing at the highest level.

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