After 18 years of loyalty, heartbreaks, and relentless belief, Virat Kohli finally lifted the elusive IPL trophy as Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their first-ever title by defeating Punjab Kings by 6 runs in a thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.
Shortly after the win, Kohli took to Instagram to share a raw and emotional message with fans.
“This one is for the fans of RCB who never ever left our side in the worst of times… As far as the IPL trophy is concerned—you’ve made me wait 18 years… but it’s been absolutely worth the wait,” Kohli wrote.
Kohli’s Steady Hand Anchors RCB’s Total
Kohli played a pivotal role in the final, scoring a composed 43 off 35 balls. His innings, though not explosive, provided the backbone for RCB’s 190/9. Rajat Patidar (26) and Mayank Agarwal (24) also chipped in, but it was Kohli’s steady hand that guided the innings under pressure.
RCB’s bowlers, led by Krunal Pandya (2/17) and Josh Hazlewood, held their nerves as Punjab’s chase, powered by Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61, fell agonizingly short by six runs.
A Journey of Loyalty, Rewarded
Kohli, who has been with RCB since the tournament’s inception in 2008, dropped to his knees in emotion after the final ball, later embracing Ravi Shastri in a moment that melted hearts across the nation.
In his Instagram post, Kohli dedicated the win to every fan who stood by the team through years of close calls and heartbreaks.
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