The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has become etched in the memory of Virat Kohli, but not for the reasons he would have hoped. After a valiant effort to reach the playoffs with six consecutive wins, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) journey in IPL 2024 came to a heartbreaking end in the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the same venue.
Agony continues for Virat Kohli
Just six months ago, at the very same stadium, Kohli witnessed India’s soul-crushing loss against Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 final. Now, the dream of winning his first IPL title with RCB has also been dashed at the familiar venue that was previously named as the Motera Stadium. The dejection on Kohli’s face after the match spoke volumes about the emotional toll these back-to-back losses have taken.
The six consecutive wins that propelled RCB into the playoffs had ignited a flicker of hope for Kohli. The collective effort, coupled with his own phenomenal batting form – amassing a staggering 741 runs and potentially claiming the title of the tournament’s highest run-scorer – had fans daring to believe. However, that hope was extinguished in the Eliminator, leaving Kohli visibly distraught.
The wait for a title continues to haunt Kohli. He has been a pillar for RCB for years, but the elusive IPL trophy remains frustratingly out of reach. Now, the Narendra Modi Stadium has emerged as a symbol of heartbreak for the former captain.
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