RCB’s long-awaited title win becomes an emotional reunion as Kohli credits the franchise legends for their undying commitment and contribution to the team’s legacy
Ahmedabad (Gujarat), June 4:
The joy of finally lifting the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy after 18 years was evident on Virat Kohli’s face. But what made the victory even more poignant was Kohli’s heartfelt dedication of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden title to his former teammates and franchise legends, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.
RCB sealed their place in IPL history on June 3, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a gripping final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With a 6-run win after posting 190/9, RCB clinched their first-ever IPL title — an emotional high point not just for the fans, but for three of the franchise’s most iconic players.
A Brotherhood Forged in Cricket and Loyalty
Speaking after the final, Kohli, visibly emotional, spoke about how he, de Villiers, and Gayle had poured their prime years into trying to win the trophy for RCB. While they came close in 2016, the elusive title had remained just out of reach — until now.
“I have spent my prime years with them. I know how much we tried to win this. We were so close a couple of times, and we were such a good team; we had the explosiveness in our team, but we could never cross the line. We gave our prime years to this franchise,” Kohli said.
The presence of Gayle and de Villiers at the stadium for the final made the victory “ten times more special,” as Kohli described it, emphasizing that the title belonged just as much to them as to him.
“I promise you this feels ten times more special because these two are standing next to me. Honestly, it is as much theirs as it is mine,” he added. “These two guys have given their everything, so it is equally theirs too.”
Stats that Speak Volumes
Few players have left as indelible a mark on RCB as de Villiers and Gayle.
- AB de Villiers, the elegant South African batter, is RCB’s second-highest run-scorer of all time, amassing 4,522 runs in 157 matches, with two centuries and 37 half-centuries. His incredible strike rate of 158.33 made him a fan favorite and a game-changer in the middle order.
- Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’, redefined power hitting during his stint with RCB from 2011 to 2017, scoring 3,163 runs in just 85 matches at an average of 43.33. His astonishing strike rate of 152.73, along with five centuries and his iconic 175 run* innings, remain etched in IPL history.
A Moment Years in the Making
For Kohli, who has been with RCB since the very first season in 2008, the journey to this moment has been long, personal, and filled with ups and downs. Despite stepping down from captaincy, he remained the emotional core of the team, and this win felt like the culmination of nearly two decades of perseverance, heartbreak, and undying loyalty.
The visual of Kohli standing with de Villiers and Gayle as fireworks filled the sky was more than symbolic. It was the perfect tribute to a legacy built not just on wins and runs, but on brotherhood, commitment, and belief in something larger than individual accolades.