NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli has requested his fans to refrain from addressing him with the title 'King'. The Indian batting legend expressed his discomfort at being called by that name, stating that it made him feel embarrassed.
Speaking at the grand unboxing ceremony of RCB's new IPL jersey held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the franchise was also rebranded as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Virat addressed the crowd.
Also See: IPL schedule 2024
The 35-year-old star cricketer humbly requested his fans to discontinue using the term 'King' when referring to him.
1/8:Top 5 players with most centuries in a single IPL season
Getty Images
2/8:Virat Kohli in IPL 2016
<p>Virat Kohli's phenomenal performance in IPL 2016 saw him score a record 4 centuries for Royal Challengers Bangalore, amassing a total of 973 runs in 16 matches at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03.</p>Getty Images
3/8:Jos Buttler in IPL 2022
<p>Jos Buttler equaled Kohli's record of 4 centuries in a single IPL season during the 2022 edition, scoring a total of 863 runs in 17 matches for Rajasthan Royals with an average of 57.53 and a strike rate of 149.05.</p>Getty Images
4/8:Chris Gayle in IPL 2011
<p>Chris Gayle showcased his dominance in IPL 2011 by smashing 2 centuries for Royal Challengers Bangalore, accumulating 608 runs in 12 matches at an astonishing average of 67.33 and a strike rate of 183.13.</p>Getty Images
5/8:Shane Watson in IPL 2018
<p>Shane Watson made a significant impact in IPL 2018 with 2 centuries for Chennai Super Kings, contributing 555 runs in 15 innings at an average of 39.64 and a strike rate of 154.59, helping CSK clinch the title.</p>Getty Images
6/8:Hashim Amla in IPL 2017
<p>Hashim Amla displayed his class in IPL 2017 with 2 centuries for Kings XI Punjab, scoring a total of 420 runs in 10 innings at an average of 60 and a strike rate of 149.14, proving his adaptability in T20 cricket.</p>Getty Images
7/8:Kohli vs Buttler
<p>Both Virat Kohli and Jos Buttler hold the record for the most centuries in a single IPL season, with each player scoring 4 centuries in their respective seasons of IPL 2016 and IPL 2022.</p>Getty Images
8/8:Two hundred scorers
<p>Chris Gayle, Shane Watson, and Hashim Amla stand out as players who have scored 2 centuries in a single IPL season, showcasing their exceptional batting prowess and consistency.</p>Getty Images"Firstly, you need to stop calling me that word (king). Please call me Virat. Don't call me that word (king). I was just telling Faf du Plessis that I feel embarrassed every year when you call me that word. So just call me Virat, please, from now on; don't use that word. It's very embarrassing for me," Virat said during the event.
RCB will kick off their IPL 2024 campaign in the tournament opener against defending champions Chennai Super Kings on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
RCB have never won an IPL title since the tournament's inception in 2008.
On the other hand, CSK have five titles to their name.
