Virat Kohli credited Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful defence of their IPL crown to a calm mindset, clearly defined roles within the squad and a strong sense of belief. After guiding the franchise to a second straight title with an outstanding run chase, Kohli was named Player of the Final for his unbeaten 75, a knock that once again underlined his knack for delivering under pressure. Speaking after the trophy moment, he said the scene was something he had long pictured. “It’s the kind of stuff you dream about. I’ve imagined this moment for years—standing there and hitting the winning runs when we win the IPL. Tonight, that dream became reality,” Kohli said.
Kohli added that RCB’s preparation for the high-stakes final against Gujarat Titans was rooted more in their own processes than in overthinking the opposition. He explained that the key was entering the match feeling composed and aligned with their game plan. “We felt really relaxed coming into the game, and we were genuinely confident about how we wanted to play and about the kind of team we have. That kind of assurance helps you stay in control, even when different situations unfold,” he said.
The victory marked another standout chapter in Kohli’s season, with the final also featuring his quickest half-century in IPL cricket. He reached the milestone in just 25 balls, doing so in the showpiece match of his 19th campaign in the league. Kohli also reflected on how the modern version of T20 has forced him to keep evolving as a batter, particularly with the arrival of very young players who constantly raise the intensity. “You see super young players pushing you all the time and really asking you to change your game and raise the bar,” Kohli said. “It’s an exciting situation because it gives you something to improve, something to work towards. I take a lot of pride in getting better and identifying areas where I can improve.”
He further explained that his adjustments were not just about the shots, but about how frequently he needed to attack. “It’s about the demands of today’s modern game—you need those extra runs, the 20 or 30 that can swing matches. I had to shift my mindset more than anything, to play the shots I already play, but do it more often and take on the bowlers, including the best ones they have. That was always the target,” Kohli said.
Experience, in his view, remains a decisive factor in tightly contested matches. “We’ve got a lot of seasoned players in the group, and plenty of experienced heads. Experience always shows in difficult moments,” Kohli said. “You can have all the excitement and flair in the world, but when the big situations arrive, you need the big players to come through.”
Kohli also revealed that their strategy for the 156-run chase was shaped in a brief conversation with fellow opener Venkatesh Iyer. “I told him one thing—we need to put the game to bed in the Powerplay. And he said, ‘Yeah, let’s go,’” Kohli said. “There was total clarity. We wanted to strike and keep taking the bowlers on because we knew that in a big game, if you lose a couple of wickets, things can get complicated.”
He praised Iyer’s impact, pointing out how the batter’s promotion to open at the latter stage of the tournament had paid off. “His intent was probably the difference-maker for us in the last three or four games,” Kohli said. Kohli also stressed that RCB’s title defence was built on contributions across the squad rather than depending on individual moments alone. “Even tonight—yes, it’s a chase and they would probably try to get me out early—but I was confident that if I did get out early, we still had a champion team that would finish the job,” he said.
Finally, Kohli credited the management for assembling a balanced squad capable of covering every angle. He also highlighted the collective belief within the dressing room as a major reason behind the back-to-back success. “When you have that kind of confidence, you can go out there and take the bowlers on. That’s credit to the management—how they built the squad, the talent of the players, and the belief the team has shown. That’s why we stand here as champions back-to-back, which is a special feat,” Kohli said.
He concluded by recalling a message from last year’s triumph and how it carried into this campaign. “That’s exactly what Mo Bobat said when we won last year—that it’s not the end of the road. We’re going to look to go back-to-back. And that’s exactly what we ended up achieving,” Kohli added.
