NEW DELHI: For almost two decades, Virat Kohli has been synonymous with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. On Sunday night in Ahmedabad, the iconic batter finally lived out a scenario he had pictured repeatedly in his head—finishing the chase with the decisive hit. After guiding RCB to a title victory over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Kohli described how the last-ball moment he had long dreamed about became reality in the most pressure-heavy setting.
Key takeaways
- Virat Kohli said completing the chase himself was a long-held personal goal as RCB won the final.
- Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 and struck the winning six to secure victory by five wickets.
- His half-century arrived in just 25 deliveries, the quickest of his 19 IPL seasons.
- He credited a calm mindset and clear chase planning for Bengaluru’s control in the title chase.
- RCB’s early momentum in the final was powered by Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer, helping Bengaluru post the fastest team fifty in IPL final history.
- Kohli praised the squad’s collective strength and singled out key contributors including Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Salam Dar.
A dream completed in Ahmedabad
Kohli’s post-match words carried the weight of anticipation built over years of waiting. He spoke about “the stuff you dream of,” explaining that he had imagined the moment countless times—especially the feeling of hitting the winning run. With his unbeaten innings of 75, he steered RCB to a five-wicket triumph, delivering the finishing touch with the winning six.
The innings itself reflected what fans have come to expect from Kohli on big nights: controlled batting with aggression when it mattered most. It also included a milestone that underlined his impact—his half-century arrived off only 25 balls, marking the fastest fifty of his entire IPL career.
Calm under pressure and clarity in the chase
Asked about how he handled the tension of a title chase, Kohli revealed that he felt unusually relaxed after walking in. He pointed to the confidence within the side and said the team’s preparation allowed them to navigate any situation that appeared during the chase. He also stressed that he knew the exact approach required to keep the innings moving in the right direction.
That plan began early, with Kohli partnering Venkatesh Iyer to give Bengaluru a rapid start. Kohli explained that he had told Iyer the importance of “killing the game in the powerplay,” and said the message carried total clarity. The result was a match-defining opening phase, as the duo helped RCB record the fastest team fifty in the history of IPL finals.
Adapting as the game evolves
Even at the age of 37, Kohli suggested he continues to evolve with the modern demands of T20 cricket. When questioned about his 25-ball fifty, he highlighted how fearless younger batters have raised the intensity across leagues and forced him to adjust his mindset. Kohli said he did not feel the need to completely change his game, but he acknowledged the requirement to take on bowlers more directly and add extra runs to stay ahead of the contest.
RCB’s collective strength and the champions’ mindset
While Kohli’s finishing spell stood out, he also framed the win as something far bigger than a single individual performance. One of the most satisfying parts for him, he said, was the strength of the squad around him—particularly the assurance that the team did not depend on one person to deliver every time. Kohli described it as a rare feeling after a long wait: having a group of players where stepping up could come from multiple directions.
He also offered praise for several match-winners and contributors across roles. Kohli highlighted the work of Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Salam Dar, calling RCB a complete side. He further pointed to the team’s steadiness through the season, stressing that when the tournament reaches its biggest moments, the “big boys” must perform—but he believed Bengaluru had a champion unit ready to execute the plans.
Kohli added that topping the table was not an accident. He said the team reached the position it deserved because the side consistently stuck to its style of cricket and followed through on strategies. In his view, if they continue to execute those plans, they remain the strongest outfit in the competition.
The noise in the stadium and Kohli’s thanks
As chants filled the ground, Kohli saved special praise for the supporters. He said the fanbase behind RCB is built across far more than a limited number of home fixtures, noting that the team plays 14 home games rather than seven. He also remarked that even when the final environment leaned toward Gujarat Titans, around 90 percent of the crowd appeared to be supporting Bengaluru.
With the final settled in Ahmedabad and the title secured, Kohli’s account of the night blended personal fulfilment with a clear message: the win was powered by clarity, adaptation, and a squad built to handle pressure.
