Virat Kohli celebrates with former RCB teammate AB de Villiers after the final.
| Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji
When Royal Challengers Bengaluru sealed the deal against Punjab Kings, Virat Kohli fell to the ground. Overcome with emotion, he buried his face in the turf, before his delighted teammates rushed in to mob him.
Having spent his entire IPL career with RCB, to lay his hands on the elusive trophy meant the world to Kohli. The poster boy of the franchise, Kohli dedicated the win to the ardent RCB fans.
“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It has been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, prime and experience. I’ve tried to win it every season, and I gave it everything I have. To finally have the IPL title is an unbelievable feeling. I never thought this day would come, I was overcome with emotion after the last ball was bowled,” Kohli told the broadcaster after the famous win.
Kohli underlined his deep connection with the city of Bengaluru.
“I’ve stayed loyal to this team. I’ve had moments otherwise, but I stayed with them, and them with me. My heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. Tonight, I’ll sleep like a baby,” Kohli said.
The 36-year-old added that the team’s auction strategy was criticised, but the players never lost faith in the ultimate cause.
Kohli hugged his old friend and former RCB teammate AB de Villiers, who joined the team celebrations on the ground. “What ABD has done for the franchise is tremendous. I told him ‘This win is as much yours as it is ours. I want you to celebrate with us’. He deserves to be on the podium, lifting the cup,” Kohli said.
Published – June 04, 2025 12:35 am IST
