Virat Kohli Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane: The ₹20 Lakh Start at the IPL Auction
Before the cheers of packed stadiums, the chants of "Kohli! Kohli!", and the countless records, there was a young, determined cricketer eager to carve out his niche in the rapidly growing Indian Premier League (IPL). Virat Kohli, a name synonymous with cricketing excellence, recently took a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about the moment he was picked up for a humble ₹20 lakh at the very first IPL auction back in 2008.
Fresh off leading India to victory in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia, Kohli found himself among a group of first-class cricketers, all with a base price set at ₹20 lakh. In a recent chat, Kohli reflected on that surreal experience. "When the auction took place, we were in Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, and we were being sold as first-class cricketers, capped at ₹20 lakhs. We went wild in the corridor—'We got ₹20 lakhs!' That was the emotion behind it. We had no idea what to expect—the opening ceremony, the whole experience of meeting legendary cricketers—it was just surreal."
Unlike many players who went through the main auction, Kohli was selected by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from the Under-19 draft. This decision by RCB turned out to be a brilliant move, marking the start of a long-lasting and iconic partnership. Kohli is still the only player to have represented a single franchise since the IPL began.
Looking back at his first contract, which was set at ₹12 lakh for the first three seasons (2008-2010), it’s a stark contrast to where he stands today in terms of stature and earnings. For the 2025 season, RCB has retained Kohli for an astonishing ₹21 crore, showcasing his immense worth and contribution to the franchise over the years. This marks a jaw-dropping increase of over 17,000% since his initial signing.
The inaugural IPL season in 2008 was a learning experience for everyone, including the young Kohli, who managed to score 165 runs in 13 matches.
