“Never Thought This Day Would Come…” – These were the words on the lips of millions of fans – whether die-hard supporters of Royal Challengers Bengaluru or their longtime rivals who had mocked the franchise for 17 long seasons of failure. But even in Virat Kohli’s mind, the same thoughts echoed. On the night of June 3 in Ahmedabad, when RCB finally ended their 17-season wait and lifted their maiden IPL trophy, one name resonated through the entire stadium – Virat Kohli. The chants of “Virat-Virat” filled the air as the crowd erupted in celebration. Kohli then poured his heart out in a moment that was emotional not just for him, but for fans across the world.
“I Gave Everything to This Team”
After RCB’s historic win, former Australian cricketer and IPL commentator Matthew Hayden interviewed Kohli. The very first thing Kohli said was that this victory wasn’t just his – it belonged equally to the fans who had stood by the franchise for so many years. Reflecting on the long wait, Kohli said, “I’ve given this team my youth, my best years, and all my experience. I tried every year to win it, gave everything I had – and finally winning it feels unbelievable.”
The Special Person Kohli Remembered
In his heartfelt speech, Kohli didn’t just remember the fans – he also remembered a special person who stood with him through the years of heartbreak: none other than his close friend and RCB legend AB de Villiers. “Whatever AB did for this franchise was incredible,” Kohli said. “I told him that this victory is just as much his as it is ours. I want him to celebrate this with us. Despite retiring years ago, he still holds the most Player of the Match awards for us – that shows how much of an impact he had.”
“I’ll Sleep Like a Baby Tonight”
When asked what this title meant to him, an emotional Kohli responded, “This is one of the biggest wins of my life. I’ve been loyal to this franchise for 18 years, and they’ve been loyal to me. There were moments when I felt unsure, but I stayed committed. I always imagined winning with this team, and doing it with RCB makes it more special than winning with any other side because my heart and soul are connected to Bengaluru.”
He concluded with a smile, “I want to win big tournaments – and this one was still missing. Now, tonight, I’ll sleep like a baby.”