‘7000 runs is just another milestone’: Virat Kohli says he’s focused on RCB’s team goals

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday unlocked yet another milestone in his IPL career as he became the first batter to get to 7,000 IPL runs during his side’s clash against Delhi Capitals at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi.
Kohli, who has 49 fifties and five hundreds in the tournament at an average of 36.59, said this achievement is just another milestone in what he’s dreamt of doing for the team he has played for since the inception of the IPL.
“7000 runs is just another milestone during the journey of what I’m trying to do for my team. It’s a nice number when you try to do something for your team,” the 34-year-old said after RCB’s innings.

At the 7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ summit 🏔️
First player in IPL hory to reach the feat! 👑#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 #DCvRCB @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/UJ6Tvpm9Ww
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 6, 2023
Kohli, who has a pavilion named after him at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, said that he’s grateful for everything and that he’d continue to work hard.
“I was honoured with getting a pavilion named after me. I started my journey here and started playing for Delhi here. I never imagined all these things would come there and there’s gratitude for all this. I want to put my head down and continue to work hard,” he said.
Rajkumar Sharma, his childhood coach, was present at the stadium to support and cheer for the batter along with Kohli’s family.
Kohli said, “It’s a special moment, Anushka is here, my family is here, my coach is here. I’ve said it from day one that having Anushka around has been special for me. Having her around and now our daughter as well. It makes me feel like normalcy is around, and cricket is a part of life but that is the real deal. It’s special when she comes to watch. My brother and other family members are here as well, so it’s special.”
Kohli also lavished praise on RCB batter Mahipal Lomror and said that he changed the course of the game and that innings such as his give the veteran players a confidence boost.

“Lomror was unbelievable and me and Faf thought that 160 would be a good score. Mahipal came and changed the game, shifted the momentum towards us. My job was to bat deep and get those late runs, but DK and Mahi did a tremendous job as well. It gives the senior guys like me and Faf a lot of confidence at this stage of the tournament. It’s a great sign for the team,” he concluded.