BStar Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has addressed social media comments calling him an “overseas player” for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The remarks started after Kohli began spending more time in London with his family.
The Origin of the Joke
The “overseas player” tag became popular on social media during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Fans joked that RCB was playing with five foreign players instead of the allowed four. This was because Kohli now spends much of his time living in the United Kingdom.
Kohli moved to London with his wife, Anushka Sharma, and their children. He chose this move to enjoy a quieter life away from the constant spotlight in India.
Kohli’s Response
Kohli spoke about these comments during a video interaction with Danish Sait, who plays the character “Mr. Nags.” In the video shared by the franchise on Saturday, April 4, Kohli laughed at the idea.
“I don’t know why are you asking me? Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player,” Kohli said with a smile. He then asked the host, “Am I an overseas player?” to which the reply was “no.” He made it clear that despite living abroad, his identity as an Indian cricketer has not changed.
Performance On The Field
The talk about his residence has not affected his game. Kohli helped RCB start the 2026 season with a strong performance. In the opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he scored an unbeaten 69 runs off 38 balls. This knock helped his team secure a six-wicket win.
During the interview, Kohli also reflected on RCB winning the IPL title in 2025. He described the victory as a major relief after many years of near-misses, saying it felt like a “monkey off the back.”
