In a surprising turn of events at the RCB Unbox event ahead of IPL 2024, former India captain Virat Kohli made a heartfelt plea to his fans, urging them to refrain from addressing him as 'King'.

[source]

The event, held at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium, witnessed the rechristening of Royal Challengers Bangalore to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, marking a significant moment for the franchise. However, amidst the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season, Kohli took a moment to address a recurring issue that has left him feeling uncomfortable.

Often hailed as the 'King' by his followers on social media and even by the media and broadcasters, Kohli expressed his embarrassment at being bestowed with such a title. Drawing a comparison with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the 'God of cricket', Kohli emphasized his preference for being addressed simply as Virat.

During the event, when Danish Sait, the host, jokingly asked Kohli how the 'King' was feeling, the crowd erupted into cheers. However, Kohli seized the opportunity to convey his message, stating, "Let me talk. Guys, we have to get to Chennai tonight. We have a chartered flight so we don't have time (laughs). Firstly, you need to stop calling me that word [King]. I was telling Faf [Faf du Plessis] that it is very embarrassing for me when you call me that name every year, just call me Virat."

As Kohli gears up for his 17th season with the RCB in IPL 2024, his request to fans reflects his humility and desire for a more personal connection. With the first fixture of the tournament set to see RCB facing off against reigning champions Chennai Super Kings led by MS Dhoni, the stage is set for an electrifying start to what promises to be another thrilling season of cricketing action.