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. After waiting eighteen years to declare himself an IPL winner, the 36-year-old broke down in tears.
On Tuesday, Shreyas Iyer asked RCB to play first, and Kohli hit a crucial 43 off 35 balls in the opening innings. All of the other batters contributed significant cameos, but the former India skipper provided a strong anchor for the innings. RCB’s score of 190/9 appeared to be 15–20 runs short.
RCB bowlers bowled to their plans and RCB fielded superbly to restrict Punjab to 184/7 in 20 overs. With one wicket in his very first ball, RCB bowlers bowled out Mumbai Indians and Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/17 in his four overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took a couple of wickets too, conceding 38 runs in his four over spell. He was also complemented by Yash Dayal who bowled economically giving away just 18 runs and taking one wicket in three overs.
Matthew Hayden spoke with Kohli after the dramatic victory for RCB and inquired about his emotions. The former RCB captain said he had always hoped to win the prestigious title with the Bengaluru-based team and dedicated the victory to the supporters. Kohli 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. He also shared the secret that drives his enthusiasm and energy in every season.
Feelings after finishing an 18-year hunt 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.”
Virat Kohli
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.”
Virat Kohli
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.”
Virat Kohli
Importance of the Test format
“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. 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. And when you walk out with wonders the other side, then you gain respect to the cricket world with legends like yourself. Melting our hearts on the field and off the field.”
Virat Kohli
