Virat Kohli and RCB finally lift IPL trophy: Is this the missing jewel in Kohli’s legacy? Virat Kohli finally gets his hands on IPL Trophy.
June 3 will forever be etched in memory, for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). For Virat Kohli and for every loyal fan who believed that someday, it would be their year, and they would finally replace ‘Ee sala cup namde’ to ‘Ee sala cup namdu’.
“I’ve given this team my youth, my prime, and my experience. Every season, I’ve played with one dream, to win the IPL. And finally, it’s happened. I never thought this day would come.” These were Virat Kohli’s words after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted their first IPL trophy on a memorable June night in Ahmedabad.
It wasn’t just a win—it was the end of an 18-year journey filled with heartbreak, hope, and unmatched loyalty. For Kohli, this victory was more than a cricketing achievement. It was personal, built on years of belief and unshakable commitment to a team he never left, even when many others did.
A promise fulfilled
Kohli had promised RCB fans that he would bring the trophy home one day. And he did. But he didn’t celebrate alone. His close friend and former teammate AB de Villiers was in the stands, flown in specially for the final. After the win, Kohli brought him on stage, calling the victory as much AB’s as RCB’s.
“What he has done for this franchise is incredible,” Kohli said. “I told him before the match—this trophy is also yours.”
Kohli, who had often been burdened by the absence of an IPL title in his glittering career, finally found peace. “I always wanted to win the big tournaments. And this one was missing. Tonight, I’ll sleep like a baby,” he smiled.
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The young boy who stayed
Virat’s journey with RCB began in 2008. He was 19 then, just fresh from leading India to an Under-19 World Cup win. He wasn’t a superstar yet, but from the beginning, he stood out for his passion and fire. As the years rolled on, he grew—into a leader, a legend, and the face of RCB.
Through 18 seasons, when star players came and went, Kohli stayed. He wore only one jersey, turned down offers from other teams, and gave everything he had to one cause.
“As long as I play IPL, I want to play for RCB. This team has given me everything, and I’ve always tried to give back 100 per cent,” he said. In a world of franchise swaps and frequent trades, Kohli’s loyalty made him a symbol—for RCB, and for fans who believed alongside him.
The stats and the stories
Virat Kohli’s IPL numbers are nothing short of phenomenal. He’s played 267 matches, scored over 7,700 runs, and now holds the record for the most boundaries in IPL history. In the 2025 season alone, he scored 657 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.75, with eight half-centuries and a top score of 73 not out.
From scoring 165 runs in the first edition of IPL in 2008 to a record-shattering 973 runs with four centuries in 2016, Kohli never looked back. But beyond the stats are the moments—the passionate celebrations, the intensity in his eyes, and the way he carried RCB fans on his shoulders through every season.
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The final that changed everything
The 2025 IPL final felt like a movie script. RCB batted first and posted 190/9. Kohli played a vital knock, 43 off 35 balls. It wasn’t a flashy hundred, but it gave RCB a solid foundation. They held their nerve to beat Punjab Kings by six runs. When the final ball was bowled, Kohli’s emotions came pouring out, years of struggle, finally washed away by tears of joy.
He immediately remembered those who walked this journey with him, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. “We gave our prime years to this franchise. We tried so hard to win it back then. And I’m proud that I could do it now, for them, for us,” Kohli said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
For Kohli, this was more than redemption, it was a showcase that staying loyal, even when it’s hard, means something. Over the years, critics questioned his choice to stick with RCB. Many asked why he didn’t switch teams to chase a title. But Kohli believed. And now, he’s proved that belief right.
He’s no longer just the IPL’s top run-getter or most passionate player, he’s now a champion.
Fans who never gave up
RCB fans are among the most passionate in cricket. For 18 seasons, they stood by their team, through collapses, chokes, and close calls. Every time Kohli walked out at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the crowd erupted. He became their hero, their hope. And with this win, Kohli repaid that faith. The trophy belongs to Bengaluru, to the fans, to everyone who stayed.
In the end, this isn’t just about a cricket match. It’s about loyalty, patience, and resilience. Kohli’s 18-year journey with RCB is now part of IPL folklore, not just because he won, but because he stayed and believed. And when he finally won, he did it with the same fire, heart, and humility that defined his entire career.
This was more than a trophy. It was a promise kept. A dream lived. A legacy written in red and gold.
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