New Delhi: Did Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli take a dig at his India teammate Rohit Sharma after winning his maiden Indian Premeir League (IPL) title on Tuesday? Many think so. Kohli has been widely criticised for his remark about not wanting to play as an impact player as long as he is active in the IPL, as he wants to make an impact for his team while being on the field for 20 overs.
Kohli’s comments came after RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in the IPL 2025 final to lift the elusive trophy, ending an 18-year-long wait for their maiden title. RCB’s title triumph also marked Kohli’s first IPL title as a player. The 36-year-old, who has been part of the RCB setup since the inception of the tournament in 2008, had failed to win his maiden title in the first 17 seasons.
However, Kohli’s long agonising wait came to an end on Tuesday with RCB registering a thumping victory against PBKS in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Speaking to former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden after the final, Kohli reflected on his journey with RCB and reiterated his love and commitment towards the franchise.
During the interview, Hayden also asked Kohli about his passion and drive for the game, which keeps him going and motivates him to do well as a batter year after year. Kohli spoke about how he wants to give it his all on the field and can’t play as an impact player, as he wants to contribute to his team on the field.
“Well, I have an opportunity to play this game for not many years. So there is an end date to our career, as you know. And by the time that I hang up my boots, I want to sit at home and say I gave it everything I had,” Kohli said.
“So I look for ways to improve. I cannot play as an impact player. I want to field 20 overs and make an impact in the field. That is the kind of player I have been. And God blessed me with that perspective, with the talent,” he added.
Virat Kohli mocking Rohit Sharma and laughing.C’mon bro, it’s your first ipl trophy be grateful to God.
My man lives rent free in his head.
pic.twitter.com/5UA6usoWHL— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) June 4, 2025
Many felt that Kohli’s comments were an indirect dig at his India teammate Rohit, who played primarily as an impact player throughout the season for his team Mumbai Indians. Rohit is one of the most successful captains in IPL history with five titles to his name, and is also the leading run-getter of the tournament behind only Kohli.
Fans criticise Virat Kohli for subtle dig at Rohit Sharma:
Virat Kohli mocking Rohit Sharma and laughing.C’mon bro, it’s your first ipl trophy be grateful to God.
My man lives rent free in his head.
pic.twitter.com/5UA6usoWHL— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) June 4, 2025
I don’t know if this a general statement after winning, but it did seem like a dig at Rohit and he was not an impact player by choice this season, if Rohit was on the field noone would have listened to Hardik but he still stood by his team…After winning y be bitter to others??? https://t.co/KnKGEBsPDG
— Kanchi Sharda (@KanchiShar32824) June 4, 2025
Nobody wants to play as an impact player. MI management forced Rohit Sharma to play as an impact player. They even substituted Rohit at Wankhede. Despite knowing this, Kohli is mocking him. 🙂 https://t.co/bscdvgslHR
— 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 (@ImHydro45) June 3, 2025
No way Virat Kohli just trolled Rohit Sharma in the post match interview.
“I can’t play this game as an impact player, I want to impact the game with my fielding as well.”— Prantik (@Pran__07) June 3, 2025
He isn’t even ask him for impact player, but still Kohli mock rohit sharma for it , this guy is most insecure cricketer I have ever seen , 😕pic.twitter.com/aKEP3s3q1Q
— K U N D A N (@sportykundan7) June 4, 2025
Virat Kohli reduced to tears after RCB’s IPL title triumph
Overjoyed and emotions flowing high, Kohli was reduced to tears after his team won their maiden IPL title following their victory against Punjab Kings in the final. In emotional scenes at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kohli was down on his knees after the last ball was bowled in the final before getting mobbed by his teammates.
Kohli was also spotted sharing emotional hugs with his wife Anushka Sharma, and his former RCB teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle as he revelled in IPL glory.
RCB star Virat Kohli appeared to be taking a subtle dig at his India teammate Rohit Sharma with his ‘impact player’ remark after the IPL 2025 final. Kohli won his maiden IPL title after RCB defeated Punjab Kings in the final on Tuesday. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
