Virat Kohli has reportedly chosen not to renew his commercial contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ahead of the 2026 IPL season. The decision comes after his retirement from Test cricket and a lower public profile in recent months. Reports suggest that Kohli is stepping back from long-term branding responsibilities with the franchise, raising questions about his future involvement.
Kohli Refuses Commercial Contract
Kohli had also declined the opportunity to return as RCB captain ahead of the previous IPL mega auction. Instead, he supported young batter Rajat Patidar, who led the team to its first IPL title, ending RCB’s long wait for a championship. Cricket analyst Rohit Juglan said Kohli is unlikely to continue in the IPL for as long as MS Dhoni has after retiring from international cricket. The franchise has not commented on the contract renewal or Kohli’s future with the team.
