Seventeen seasons came and went. Teammates changed, coaches changed, but one thing remained constant: Virat Kohli giving his all for Royal Challengers Bengaluru—and the IPL title eluding him. Year after year, he turned up, driven by belief, loyalty, and passion. He carried the team on his shoulders, broke records, set new standards, but the silverware stayed out of reach.
On Tuesday night at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, that chapter closed. Punjab Kings fell seven runs short of chasing 191, and RCB, at long last, became IPL champions. Before the final ball was bowled, Kohli dropped to his knees at the boundary, tears flowing. The weight of 18 years lifted in that one moment.
For Kohli, for RCB, and for millions of fans around the world, the pain, the mockery, and the memes all melted away. The journey, full of heartbreaks and near-misses, had finally reached its most joyful destination.
A Redemption Story
RCB were long seen as the underachievers of the IPL. Despite star-studded line-ups, they often faltered at the final step. Kohli had been part of three previous finals—all lost. Through it all, he remained loyal. While other big names switched teams, Kohli stayed. He was RCB's constant, their heartbeat.
“I’ve given this team my youth, my prime, and now my experience,” Kohli said in his emotional post-match speech. “There were moments I thought of walking away, but my heart is with Bangalore. My soul is with Bangalore.”
Scenes of Joy and Relief
After the win, Kohli embraced his teammates, shared the moment with his wife Anushka Sharma, and invited AB de Villiers onto the stage to celebrate with him. De Villiers, his longtime friend and former RCB teammate, had flown in for the final.
“This one is yours too,” Kohli told him. “What he has done for this team is special. We waited for this moment together.”
A Speech 18 Years in the Making
Kohli spoke like a man finally unburdened. His words carried the emotions of countless fans and teammates who had waited just as long. “I never thought this day would come,” he admitted, speaking over the roar of RCB’s passionate supporters.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He thanked the backroom staff, including Andy Flower, Dinesh Karthik, and Director of Cricket Mo Babat, for putting together a well-balanced team rather than just chasing big names. “This wasn’t just about superstars anymore. We had role clarity, and we built a team, not just a squad.”
Love, Loyalty and Legacy
Kohli didn’t forget the support system that helped him through the toughest years. He gave a heartfelt thanks to Anushka Sharma, who had stood by him during every high and low.
“She’s seen me at my worst. She’s a Bengaluru girl too, and this title means just as much to her.”
Kohli also acknowledged the RCB fans, famously known as the '12th Man Army'. “This trophy is yours. You've backed us through the worst of times. You’ve been trolled with us. You’ve hurt with us. And now you celebrate with us.”
Test Cricket Still Holds His Heart
Even on this night of T20 glory, Kohli reminded young cricketers of the value of Test cricket.
“This moment is one of the best in my life,” he said, “but even this sits five steps below a Test match win. If you want respect across the cricket world, give everything to Test cricket.”
A City Celebrates
Back in Bengaluru, the scenes were unforgettable. Fireworks lit the skies, fans flooded the streets, and the city bathed in red. Kohli promised the celebrations would continue with a victory parade.
“I’ve seen the videos—the whole city is out there. I want to be there and feel it. This one is for the city, for the people.”
From Pain to Peace
Reflecting on the years of trolling and heartache, Kohli said it all made the moment sweeter.
“I’ve been trolled, I’ve been mocked. People made fun of RCB. But it brought us closer. It made this bond stronger. Tonight, I will sleep peacefully—not to party, but just to rest. That’s all I need.”