Krunal Pandya, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood and several others shared their thoughts and congratulated RCB on clinching their first-ever IPL championship.
Virat Kohli deserves the IPL trophy – this has now been proved. The 2025 IPL final, the ground in Ahmedabad and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team was pitted against Punjab Kings (PBKS). A victory by six runs, a moment that had been awaited for 18 years. It was not just a trophy, it was the fulfillment of a dream, the climax of a story that Kohli and his fans lived for years.
Exciting final match
It was the day of the final. RCB won the toss and decided to bat first. The pitch was slow, the ball was coming intermittently but Kohli and his team did not lose courage. They scored 190 runs, which was no less than a challenge on that pitch. In response, PBKS put in all their effort but were all out for 184 runs. The difference of six runs in the last over – it was such a thrill that every heartbeat stopped. But when the last ball was bowled and victory was confirmed, a wave of happiness ran through the stadium.
Players’ words
The players’ emotions were high after the win. Rajat Patidar said, “This is special for me but more so for Virat Kohli and our fans. They deserved it. After Qualifier 1, we were sure that we could do this.” There was pride in his voice and a sparkle in his eyes that told the depth of this victory.
This belongs to the #ನಮ್ಮRCB fans.
— Rajat Patidar (@rjjtt_01) June 3, 2025
Thank you so much for unconditional love ❤#playbold #IPL2025 #rcbfans pic.twitter.com/1Sp6kTi9Ha
Krunal Pandya, who was adjudged Player of the Match, told the story of his cleverness. “There was a talk with the batsmen in the first innings and I felt that only slow bowling would work. This format requires courage and I believed in myself. I turned the game around by taking wickets in the middle overs.” His strategy became the turning point of RCB’s victory.
Phil Salt said, “This feeling is unbelievable. Our fans, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle – everyone has come back. This franchise belongs to those who love.” His words reflected gratitude for the fans. At the same time, Jitesh Sharma got emotional, “I am very happy for Virat bhai. 18 years of waiting, it is no small thing. When you play for others, something magical happens.” Josh Hazlewood praised the score, “190 was fantastic on that pitch. Kohli winning this after 18 years – perhaps there is nothing bigger than this.”
Dinesh Karthik also said, “This is the victory of every fan. Virat, AB, Gayle, support staff – everyone waited for 18 years. Today was the fire that took us to victory.” Kohli’s 18-year journey It was not a new thing that Virat Kohli deserves the IPL trophy. But this time luck also supported him. When the IPL started in 2008, Kohli was a young player, full of dreams. Year after year, RCB came close to the final, but every time the trophy slipped out of hand. Be it the 2016 final or the 2021 playoffs, every defeat increased Kohli’s passion.
But in 2025, the moment arrived when Kohli held the trophy in his hands. There were tears in his eyes, relief on his face, and a satisfaction in his heart that reflected 18 years of hard work.
A flood of emotions
When the trophy was raised, the stadium was filled with not just applause, but an emotion. There were smiles on the faces of the support staff, moist eyes of the fans. Bhuvneshwar Kumar said, “We thought 180 would be enough, but 190 turned the tables. Krunal’s spell was a game-changer.” Mayank Agarwal added the philosophy of life, “Life is unpredictable. If you stay firm, everything can change.”
When Kohli lifted the trophy, it was not just his victory. It was the victory of millions of fans who stood with RCB even after every defeat. It was the victory of the belief that hard work never goes in vain.
An inspirational ending
Virat Kohli deserves the IPL trophy, and this victory is proof of that. This story is not just about cricket, but about passion, patience and hope. RCB’s win became a proud moment in history, and Kohli’s name will always shine with this trophy. So the next time someone says dreams don’t come true, just tell them this story – of a player who waited for 18 years and finally proved that he really deserved it.
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