In a moment etched into IPL history, Virat Kohli finally lifted the Indian Premier League trophy as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) claimed their first-ever IPL title, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in a nerve-wracking final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
After nearly two decades marked by heartbreak, near-misses, and unwavering loyalty, Kohli—who scored a composed 43 off 35 balls in the final—was visibly emotional as the dream he had chased since the inception of the league finally came true.
“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team,” Kohli said, holding back tears in a post-match interview. “I’ve given this franchise my youth, my prime, and all my experience. Honestly, I never thought this day would come.”
RCB’s Road to Victory
Batting first, RCB posted a solid 190/9, with contributions throughout the lineup. While Kohli anchored the innings, it was Krunal Pandya’s remarkable bowling spell of 2/17 that shifted momentum in RCB’s favor. Punjab Kings, despite a determined chase led by Shashank Singh, fell just short at 184/7, giving RCB their long-awaited moment of glory.
A Tribute to Loyalty and Legacy
In a heartfelt reflection, Kohli paid tribute to the players who had walked the journey with him, notably AB de Villiers, who was present at the final and joined in the celebrations.
“What AB has done for this franchise is incredible. I told him, ‘This is as much yours as it is ours.’ He’s been Player of the Match more times than I can count. Even after retiring four years ago, his spirit lives in this team.”Kohli, 36, who is the all-time leading run-scorer in IPL history, finished the 2025 season with 657 runs from 15 matches, including eight half-centuries.
On the Future: “Until the Last Day, I’ll Give Everything”
Touching on his future, Kohli acknowledged that the end of his playing career may be near—but made it clear that his commitment remains as strong as ever.
“Every career has an end date. Before that day comes, I want to be able to say I gave it everything. I can’t just be an ‘impact player’—that’s not who I am. I want to contribute fully, every game, every over. That’s what I’ve always stood for.”
With Bengaluru fans in tears of joy and fireworks lighting up the skies, Kohli’s moment of triumph became a symbol of resilience, passion, and enduring belief. For the man who stood by RCB through every low and high, the IPL trophy was more than silverware—it was a vindication of 18 years of unrelenting loyalty.
