“I Gave RCB My Youth and Prime”: Virat Kohli Breaks Down After Maiden IPL Title Win

You cannot pen such scripts. Within a space of one year, Virat Kohli has done it all in cricket. Last year at this time, he had won the T20 World Cup, a couple of months ago the Champions Trophy and tonight the IPL title finally. For a guy who has been with the RCB for nearly two decades and has witnessed everything the euphoria and the heartbreaks it was only natural for Kohli to cry. But the words that he spoke afterwards emphasized the actual scale of the victory.

From a Teenager to an Icon: The Rise of Virat Kohli

Kohli began with this team during its inaugural year. In 2008, Kohli was not even 18 years old. From starting his career as a teenager to leading the team and now becoming world cricket’s legend, Kohli has finally tasted the success of winning the IPL. Even as he wiped away his tears of happiness. Even while he was reveling in one of the biggest victories in his career with his better half, Anushka Sharma. He met his best friend AB de Villiers and the Universe Boss Chris Gayle again, it was when he spoke about it that it all fell into place.

Virat Kohli Opens His Heart

“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It’s been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, prime and experience. I’ve tried to win it every season, gave it everything I have. To finally have it is an unbelievable feeling. Never thought this day would come, I was overcome with emotion after the last ball was bowled,” Kohli said after the win.

“It’s right up there, if I have to be honest. As I said, I’ve given everything that I had for the last 18 years. I’ve stayed loyal to this team, no matter what. I’ve had moments where I thought otherwise, but I stuck to this team. I stood behind them, they stood behind me. And I always dreamt of winning it with them. And this is far more special than winning it with anyone else because my heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore.

One Franchise, One Man

Several years ago, Kohli was asked whether he would ever feature for an IPL team other than RCB. After all, even the best have changed teams. Rohit Sharma, who is the sole player to have six IPL titles, began with the Deccan Chargers and then turned legend with the Mumbai Indians. MS Dhoni also had to be linked to the Rising Pune Supergiant when Chennai Super Kings were suspended for two years. Heck, even De Villiers was with Delhi Capitals when they were the Daredevils. But the one individual who remained with RCB, with one franchise for life, through highs and lows, never second-guessing, is Kohli.

Dream Realised, Peace Attained

“And as I said, this is the team I’m going to play for till the last day that I play the IPL. So this one is absolutely right up there because you know, as a sportsman, when you grind for something, and this is a very high-intensity, high-quality tournament, which is of great value in world cricket today. And I’m someone who wants to win the big tournaments, the big moments, and this one was missing. And tonight, I’m going to sleep like a baby,” he added.