'Will you come back?' ask fans as fugitive Vijay Mallya talks about Virat Kohli ahead of RCB's knockout match

Fugitive and former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) owner Vijay Mallya has patted his own back for picking Virat Kohli in the auction ahead of the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2008. Mallya, who has been on the run from the Indian authorities over financial fraud, wished best of luck to RCB who face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator on Wednesday (May 22).

RCB bought Kohli for $30,000 for the 2008 edition after he led India to victory in the 2008 U19 World Cup. Despite not having won the IPL title even once, Kohli has remained loyal to the franchise and expressed on multiple occasions that he hopes to end his playing career in Bengaluru.

"When I bid for the RCB franchise and I bid for Virat, my inner instinct told me that I could not have made better choices. My inner instinct tells me that RCB have the best chance to go for the IPL Trophy. Onward and Upward. Best of luck,"Mallya posted on X (formerly Twitter).

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The fans on the social media, however, had a field day trolling Mallya who usually only posts on the platform on bank holidays while sitting in the UK, away from the Indian authorities.

"For the first time in 6-7 years he has tweeted on a non holiday. We are massive," said one user, while another commented: "What did your instinct tell you when you fled the country instead of paying what you owed, you THIEF."

A third added: "Your inner instinct doesn't tell you to come back and watch the match in the stadium?"

The industrialist, whose interests include everything from alcohol to cricket to Formula 1 to aviation, is currently in Britain, as the Indian government attempts to extradite him. Despite receiving multiple summons, Mallya has failed to show up in court.

In 2017, the Supreme Court found Mallya in contempt of court for hiding information from the court about sending $40 million to his children in violation of the court's order. The court has summoned him on several instances.

RCB face RR challenge

RCB managed to qualify for the playoffs after a remarkable turnaround in form which saw them win six matches on the bounce. In the virtual knockout that was the final league match,RCB staved off the Chennai Super Kings challenge to set up the Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals.

The winner of the Eliminator will square up against SunRisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 in Chennai, with the winner qualifying for the final to face Kolkata Knight Riders.

(With inputs from agencies)