Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Virat Kohli recalled the moments of last year’s surreal IPL win, when the Rajat Patidar-led franchise ended a long drought by beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final, which was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Kohli burst into tears the moment the IPL 2025 final was completed. Having been a part of RCB since 2008, Kohli had to wait 18 seasons to get his hands on the trophy.
“It was a very special night for all of us at RCB,” recalled Kohli. “I have been here since day one, and so has Ramesh Mane [Team Masseur and Caretaker]. We are probably the oldest members of the RCB group.”
On three occasions, RCB lost the final, and Kohli was present each time, with 2016 being the season in which he was the captain. It was fourth time lucky for the most prolific run-scorer in the history of the league.
“Given the history of near misses and the ‘almost’ moments of the past, when we reached the finals but could not win, I think that gave us extra motivation to hold our nerve. Because the league has become so much more competitive, we must have played really good cricket to reach the final. It’s not a fluke; it’s not by chance. We have beaten some really good teams, and we are an amazing team who have earned the right to be here on this day.”
While describing his emotions on what was an unbelievable night, Kohli was at a loss for words.
“All in all, it was an amazing night for all of us,” he said. “It was quite surreal for me, honestly, quite unbelievable as it all unfolded towards the end. So many things flashed before my eyes: the whole journey of 18 years, all the ups and downs, all the good and bad moments. It felt like the culmination of all of that was unfolding in front of me, and that it was all going to happen in the next ten minutes. It’s a very difficult thing to explain; it is something to be experienced. And that experience I will never, ever forget.”
Kohli will next be seen in action for RCB in the tournament opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Bengaluru on March 28.
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