Virat Kohli has spoken candidly about the powerful emotional connection he shares with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, describing how the franchise has influenced not only his own cricketing path but also the way international stars became household names with Indian supporters. In a conversation on an RCB podcast, Kohli said the journey with the team has always carried a deeper resonance—one that goes beyond match performances and turns into lasting memories for players and fans alike.
Kohli on why RCB’s bond feels different
Reflecting on the emotional effect RCB has had across the years, Kohli emphasized that the franchise possesses a natural ability to connect with cricketers and lift them into something bigger than statistics. He pointed to the way players have felt welcomed, valued, and encouraged to flourish, which he believes has helped create a unique atmosphere within the team and its wider fanbase.
- Kohli said RCB’s influence has always gone beyond on-field output, shaping how players experience their time in the league.
- He described the franchise and its supporters as key factors in helping global talent resonate strongly with fans in India.
- He stressed that the emotional impact is something he has personally witnessed repeatedly over his long association with RCB.
From AB de Villiers to Chris Gayle: stars embraced in Bengaluru
One of Kohli’s clearest examples was AB de Villiers, whom he described as having become an iconic figure in India largely because of the affection and support he received after joining RCB. Kohli explained that the connection was organic—rooted in the way fans embraced the star and how his contribution to the team went beyond what language can fully capture.
Kohli then spoke about Chris Gayle’s arrival in a similar spirit, saying the left-hander was at home before being called up mid-season and went on to deliver what Kohli called “the season of his life.” He added that within a week of arriving in Bengaluru, Gayle’s life—and by extension the team’s momentum—changed dramatically.
- Kohli said AB de Villiers became a major icon in India after beginning his stint with RCB, helped by the way supporters welcomed and celebrated him.
- He praised AB’s impact on the team as something “beyond words,” highlighting how naturally the bond formed.
- Kohli described Chris Gayle as receiving a mid-season call-up from home, then transforming almost instantly after arriving in Bengaluru.
- He framed both stories as evidence that RCB, its city, and its fan culture can influence people in a natural and powerful way.
18 seasons of longing, then a trophy moment built on gratitude
Kohli admitted that he felt this franchise impact more intensely than anyone, given his 18-year journey with RCB. That long wait finally ended last season, when the team won the IPL title, and Kohli described the emotional scenes after the victory as gratitude rather than mere relief.
He recalled being overwhelmed to the point of dropping to his knees in tears, saying the feeling was essentially a “thank you” moment—an expression of appreciation that he got to experience the triumph before stepping away from playing.
- Kohli said the emotional intensity of the title win came after a long association spanning 18 seasons.
- He described his reaction after the final as gratitude, explaining that he was overwhelmed to the point of tears.
- Kohli said the emotions came out in the form of kneeling, holding his hands, and expressing thanks for having lived the moment before he stopped playing.
Why the wait made the triumph feel incomparable
Beyond the immediate celebration, Kohli argued that the length of the journey made the eventual success far more meaningful. He said the accumulated pressure, expectations, and heartbreak over the years created an emotional weight that could not be matched by a title win earlier in the franchise’s story.
In his closing remarks, Kohli added that if the trophy had arrived in earlier seasons, the intensity would not have been even close—he estimated it would have been only a small fraction of what he felt last season. For him, winning after 18 years made it the best possible experience within his cricketing journey.
- Kohli said the 18-year wait intensified the meaning of the IPL title for him.
- He argued that the combined pressure, expectations, and heartbreak made the triumph “incomparable” to any earlier scenario.
- Kohli concluded that winning earlier would not have delivered anything near the same feeling—he said it would have been only around 5% of what he experienced.
- He called the title success after 18 seasons the best possible outcome in his cricketing journey.
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