Virat Kohli was down on his haunches, head on the turf, after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final on Tuesday, June 3, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The 36-year-old broke down in tears after finally being able to name himself an IPL winner after 18 years.

Kohli hit a vital 43 off 35 balls in the first innings after Shreyas Iyer asked RCB to bat first on Tuesday. The former India captain provided a solid foundation for the innings, with all of the other hitters making significant contributions. RCB recorded 190/9, which seemed to be 15-20 runs short.

However, RCB bowlers stuck to their strategy and fielded brilliantly to reduce Punjab to 184/7 in 20 overs. Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, finishing with 2/17 in four overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also grabbed two wickets, allowing 38 runs in his four-over performance. Yash Dayal also bowled efficiently, conceding 18 runs and taking one wicket in three overs.

After RCB’s emotional victory, Matthew Hayden approached Kohli and enquired about his sentiments. The former RCB captain commended the victory to the supporters and stated that he had always hoped to win the title with the Bengaluru-based team. Kohli also disclosed the secret to his energy and passion in every season, and he concluded by advising new players to take the Test format seriously and strive to perform well in order to get respect in the cricket community.

Feelings after ending 18-year wait for the elusive IPL trophy

This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It’s been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, prime and experience. I’ve tried to win it every season, gave it everything I have. To finally have it is an unbelievable feeling. Never thought this day would come, I was overcome with emotion after the last ball was bowled. Gave each and every ounce of my energy and it’s an amazing feeling.

What ABD has done for the franchise is tremendous, told him ‘this win is as much yours as it is ours. I want you to celebrate with us’. He’s been the POTM most times in the franchise despite being retired for four years. Tells you the impact he’s had on the league, team and me. He deserves to be on the podium, lifting the cup.

Where does this win rank on the scale of monumental moments?

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. 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 because you know, as a sportsman, when you grind for something, and this is a very high intensity, high quality tournament, which is of great value in world cricket today. And I’m someone that wants to win the big tournaments, the big moments, and this one was missing. And tonight, I’m going to sleep like a baby.

What keeps driving that energy and that emotion, and that passion season after season?

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. So I look for ways to improve. I can’t play as an impact player, I want to feel 20 overs and make an impact in the field. That’s the kind of player I have been.

And God’s blessed me with that perspective, with the talent. And then you find different ways to help the team. This management, this group of players has been outstanding, to be honest. They’ve gotten the right kind of players, match winners, people who take the game on. In the auction, a lot of people questioned our tactics.

But by day two, we were very happy with what we had. And we had a lot of confidence in the strength of this group. And I want to give a big shout out to this team. It would not have been possible without each and every one in the squad, in the playing XI, the management backing the players, keeping us positive throughout when the going got tough. So it’s everyone’s. I don’t want to stand here and talk about myself. There’s a lot that’s spoken about me already. This win is for Bangalore. And it’s for each and every one of the players, and the families, and the whole management as well.

Importance of the Test format