Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 4: In a moment charged with emotion and nostalgia, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star batter and former captain Virat Kohli paid a heartfelt tribute to AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, dedicating the team’s maiden IPL title win to the two cricketing legends who have been synonymous with the RCB legacy.
RCB clinched their long-awaited first-ever IPL trophy on Sunday, defeating Punjab Kings by a narrow six-run margin in a thrilling final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. As the celebrations erupted, Kohli took centre stage not just for his on-field heroics, but also for the poignant gesture that touched the hearts of RCB fans worldwide.
“I have spent my prime years with them. I know how much we tried to win this. We were so close a couple of times, and we were such a good team; we had the explosiveness, but we could never cross the line. We gave our prime years to this franchise,” said a visibly emotional Kohli during the post-match presentation.
Both AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle were present at the stadium, cheering from the sidelines as Kohli and the new generation of RCB stars brought the trophy home after 18 seasons of near-misses and heartbreaks.
“This feels 10 times more special because these two are standing next to me. Honestly, it is as much theirs as it is mine,” Kohli said, adding, “These guys have given everything to this team. When they come to Bengaluru, people go berserk. It is equally their trophy.”
Over the years, de Villiers and Gayle left an indelible mark on RCB’s journey. De Villiers scored 4,522 runs for the team at an astonishing strike rate of 158.33, while Gayle lit up the Chinnaswamy Stadium with 3,163 runs, including five centuries — one of them being the iconic 175 not out, still the highest individual score in IPL history.
The 2025 title marks a culmination of RCB’s long pursuit for IPL glory, one that has seen highs and lows, tears and triumphs. For Kohli, the trophy isn't just a personal achievement — it's a tribute to a generation that built RCB’s identity and earned the love of millions.
As Bengaluru erupted in joy, one message from Kohli stood clear: “It’s not just our win. It’s Gayle’s, it’s AB’s. It belongs to everyone who wore this jersey with pride.”