Follow UsFormer owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Vijay Mallya, said that the only player he missed seeing in the RCB jersey and one whom he would have bid for in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is KL Rahul.
“In my honest opinion, if I was sitting there at the auction table and making decisions, I probably would have gone for KL Rahul. And that is not just because he is a very fine player, but you know, he is a Bangalore boy,” Mallya was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz, reacting to RCB’s maiden title win.
Mallya, who has been credited with picking Virat Kohli for RCB, said that he saw the potential in him to lead the side and therefore appointed the then 25-year-old as captain of the side.
“I was the one who picked Virat Kohli. I was sitting there for the pick, and the minute it was my turn, I immediately chose Virat. Obviously, his performance with the India Under-19 team was an influencing factor. So, he was a natural choice to be the RCB captain,” Mallya said.
Mallya, who has been living outside of India ever since cases of financial crimes against him were registered, also said that he was saddened by the deaths of RCB supporters during the victory parade stampede.
“It is very sad that those who came out to celebrate ultimately did not go home. It is heartbreaking that people who came for such a joyous occasion met with tragedy. I have extended my heartfelt condolences to all the affected families,” said Mallya.