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Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Virat Kohli recently expressed his annoyance with being constantly filmed during IPL matches, especially in IPL 2026.
Kohli elaborated on a specific incident, when BCCI’s new robot dog “Champak” filmed his interaction with former Sunrisers Hyderabad and New Zealand skipper and Lucknow Super Giants’ current Strategic Advisor Kane Williamson.
Kohli and Williamson were filmed talking to each other after RCB’s loss to LSG in Lucknow on May 7.
What is Champak, BCCI’s new robot dog?
In IPL 2025, the BCCI and the IPL introduced a new robot dog equipped with a camera that could film all the action happening on the ground.
The robot was originally designed to react in real-time to whatever the players, umpires, and fans were doing in the stadium.
Designed by wTVision, the robot camera features a custom-built gimbal system to stabilize footage over uneven surfaces, along with a pan-tilt mechanism and a video RF system. All of this is enclosed in a custom 3D-printed shell, ensuring the robotic dog remains compact and durable without compromising on mobility or performance.
“It becomes too much” – Virat Kohli on being filmed constantly
On the RCB Podcast, Virat Kohli spoke about being filmed constantly, especially by “Champak”. He also said that the BCCI and broadcasters need to have the players’ considerations in mind before deploying such technology.
“How to do [filming interactions between players]. When to do? Is the player okay with being filmed at all times? I think those kinds of things really need to be taken into account,” he said.
Kohli elaborated on the Williamson incident and said that he was frustrated by “Champak” wagging its paw at him.
“This is my honest assessment. It gets too much, I don’t like it. I was talking to Kane [Williamson] the other day, and there’s that robot thing doing [wagging its paw at them], and I’m like why is this guy doing like this. I’m talking to him about something serious,” he continued.
“I have to go into the dressing room to talk to someone now” – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli also talked about his bonding with Kane Williamson and how he couldn’t really talk to people on the ground without it becoming a big thing, especially on social media.
Kohli said that he had to ask the operator to move “Champak” from the area.
“I looked at him, and I ignored him. Then I told the guy [the operator], ‘Man, please take him away. You know, let me talk in peace, he is my friend. I can’t have a conversation with him without it becoming a moment of ‘Oh, Kane Mama [Williamson has been affectionately called Kane Mama by SRH fans since his stint there] and Virat Kohli,’,” he added.
“What is this? He is a friend, I have known him since our Under-19 days. The poor guy is saying something; at least let me talk to him. I have to go to the dressing room now. If I talk to anyone outside, it becomes big news. So, I think it is a bit much,” he concluded.
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