Dubai, Sep 19: Virat Kohli will step down as captain of his IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore at the end of the ongoing season, the Indian batting maestro announced on Sunday, two days after deciding to quit national T20 captaincy following next month's World Cup.

The 32-year-old Kohli, one of the most decorated players of the franchise, will continue to be a part of the RCB squad.

"This will be my last IPL as captain of RCB. I'll continue to be an RCB player till I play my last IPL game. I thank all the RCB fans for believing in me and supporting me," Kohli said in a statement issued by RCB.

He added, "It has been a great and an inspiring journey, captaining a talented bunch of players in the RCB squad. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the RCB management, coaches, support staff, players, and the entire RCB family, who have been instrumental in the growth of the franchise over the years.

"It wasn't an easy decision but one that has been well thought of and in the best interest of this wonderful franchise."

Kohli of late hasn't been at his peak as a batsman in Tests, a format which he adores.

For close to two years now, Kohli hasn't scored a long-form century and made 563 runs at 26.80 in 12 Tests during this period.

While announcing his decision to quit national T20 captaincy, he had stated that he was taking the step to manage his workload better.

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Kolar: Urging the closure of the liquor shop opened by the government-owned Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL) in Begli Benjenahalli of Kolar taluk, the people in the village staged a protest and also boycotted the polls this year.

Although the election officers visited the village to urge them to compulsorily exercise their right to franchise in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, but failed to convince the locals. The protesters were adamant in their demand for the closure of the MSIL bar, which has been opened on the outskirts of the village.

The people of Begli Benjenahalli had earlier staged a protest outside the office of the Excise Department, demanding a denial of permission to MSIL to open the bar.

While the village has 540 voters, it is reported that none of them has cast vote in the current elections.