New Delhi: Emotions got the better of Virat Kohli as he found it difficult to hold back his tears even before the final ball of the match was bowled. A tearful Kohli eventually kneeled on the ground, covering his face with tears rolling down his cheeks as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in the IPL 2025 final to lift their maiden title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
It was a moment of joy for Kohli that marked the end of an 18-year-long wait for his maiden IPL crown. But despite emotions riding high, Kohli spoke with immense clarity as he reflected on RCB’s memorable title triumph. The RCB superstar reiterated his love and commitment, making it clear that he will continue playing for the franchise till the end of his career.
As he opened up on RCB’s maiden IPL title victory, Kohli revealed how he gave his all to win the elusive trophy. The moment arrived finally on Tuesday, when, in his own words, God decided to give the trophy into his lap. Kohli said he gave it his all, his prime, his youth, to win the title as he stressed how much the victory meant to him.
“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It’s been 18 long years. I’ve given this time my youth, my prime. I gave it everything I have. I never thought this day would come. Was overcome with emotion as soon as the last ball was bowled,” Kohli said following RCB’s victory against Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final.
🗣🗣 My heart is for Bangalore, my soul is for Bangalore…this is the team I will play for until the last day that I play the IPL.
🎥 Virat Kohli, straight from the heart as a #TATAIPL champion ❤#RCBvPBKS | #Final | #TheLastMile | @imVkohli | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/4UI4yNKLuB
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 3, 2025
I’ll play for RCB till I play the IPL: Virat Kohli
Kohli joined RCB as a prodigious teenager in the first season of IPL in 2008 and steadily went on to become one of the greats of the game while growing at the franchise. He led RCB for nine seasons from 2013 to 2021, but failed to win the trophy as captain. Despite failing to get his team over the line, Kohli remained one of the most consistent performers for RCB over the years and was finally rewarded for his efforts on Tuesday.
Speaking after his team’s memorable triumph in Ahmedabad, Kohli, who has been one of RCB’s most loyal servants over the years, reiterated his loyalty to the franchise and said he will only play for them till he plays in the IPL. Kohli is the only active player to have played all 18 seasons of the league for just one franchise.
“I have stayed loyal to this team, no matter what. Have had moments when I thought otherwise, but I stuck to this team. My heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore, and this is the team I’ll play for till the time I play the IPL. Tonight I’ll sleep like a baby,” Kohli added.
In the final, Kohli played a sluggish knock of 43 off 35 balls and was heavily criticised for his lack of intent. However, his knock didn’t come back to haunt RCB, who rode on cameos from the likes of Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone and Romario Shepherd to post 190 runs on the board, before their bowlers defended the total comfortably to seal their first IPL title.
An emotional Virat Kohli, overjoyed after RCB’s maiden IPL title triumph, reiterated his love and commitment for the franchise while stating that he would like to continuing playing at the franchise for the remainder of his career. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
