Former Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli had recently expressed his displeasure over the continuous filming during IPL matches, especially in IPL 2026.
Kohli elaborated on a specific incident, when BCCI’s new robot dog “Champak” filmed his interaction with Kane Williamson, the former Sunrisers Hyderabad and New Zealand captain and current strategic advisor to Lucknow Super Giants.
Kohli and Williamson were filmed talking to each other after RCB’s defeat to LSG in Lucknow on May 7.
What is BCCI’s new robot dog Champak?
In IPL 2025, BCCI and IPL introduced a new robot dog equipped with a camera that can film all the activities happening on the field.
The robot was originally designed to react in real time to whatever the players, umpires and fans were doing in the stadium.
Designed by WTVVision, The robotic camera features a custom-built gimbal system as well as a pan-tilt mechanism and a video RF system to stabilize footage on uneven surfaces. All of this is enclosed in a custom 3D-printed shell, ensuring that the robotic dog remains compact and durable without compromising mobility or performance.
Virat Kohli said on being filmed continuously, ‘It becomes too much’
On the RCB Podcast, Virat Kohli talked about being constantly filmed, especially by “Champak”. He also said that the BCCI and broadcasters need to take into account the players’ views before implementing such technology.
He said, “How to do (filming conversations between players). When to do it? Do players have no problem with being filmed all the time? I think things like this really need to be kept in mind.”
Kohli elaborated on the Williamson incident and said that he was disappointed with “Champak” lashing out at him.
“That’s my honest assessment. It gets too much, I don’t like it. I was talking to Kane (Williamson) the other day, and that robot was doing something (shaking his paw at them), and I thought why is this guy doing that. I’m talking to him about something serious,” he added.
“I have to go to the dressing room to talk to someone now” – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli also talked about his bonding with Kane Williamson and how he cannot talk to people on the field unless it becomes a big deal, especially on social media.
Kohli said he had to ask the operator to remove “Champak” from the area.
“I saw him, and I ignored him. Then I said to the guy (conductor), ‘Man, please take him away. You know, let me talk calmly, he’s my friend. I can’t have a conversation with him without having a ‘Oh, Kane Mama (Williamson is fondly called Kane Mama by SRH fans since his tenure) and Virat Kohli’ moment.”
“What is this? He’s a friend, I know 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 right now. If I talk to anyone outside, it becomes big news. So, I think it’s a bit much.”
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