New Delhi: It took 18 years for Virat Kohli to win the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bengaluru but he didn’t lose perspective when asked to rate his long wait to claim the premier domestic T20 franchise title.
RCB defeated Punjab Kigs by six runs in the final in Ahmedabad on Tuesday for their maiden title. They scored 190/9 and then restricted Punjab to 184/7 to win fir the first time in their fourth attempt in the final.
Kohli scored 43 off 35 balls with the help of three boundaries at a strike rate of 122.86 while opening the innings and ended the campaign as RCB’s highest run-scorer, with 657 and eight fifties.
“You know, this moment is right up there with the best moments I’ve had in my career. But it still marks five levels under Test cricket. That’s how much I value Test cricket. And that’s how much I love Test cricket,” the former RCB skipper said after their victory.
Kohli, who recently retired from Tests, has been a big advocater of the traditional format and urged upcoming players to value it.
“So I would just urge the youngsters coming through, to treat that format with respect. Because if you perform in Test cricket, you walk around anywhere in the world, people look you in the eye and shake your hand and say, well done, you played the game really well.
“So if you want to earn respect in World cricket all over, take up Test cricket, give your heart and soul to it,” he added.
But Kohli acknowledged the special feeling of winning the IPL as he finally turned a page with RCB, for whom he has played in all the 18 editions of the tournament so far.
“Well, it’s right up there, if I have to be honest. As I said, I’ve given everything that I had for the last 18 years. I’ve stayed loyal to this team, no matter what. I’ve had moments where I thought otherwise, but I stuck to this team. I stood behind them, they stood behind me,” the 36-year-old said.
“And I always dreamt of winning it with them. And this is far more special than winning it with anyone else because my heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. And as I said, this is the team I’m going to play for till the last day that I play the IPL. So this one is absolutely right up there.”
Virat Kohli scored 43 off 35 balls as RCB beat PBKS by six runs to win their maiden IPL title in 18 years. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
