Emotional Virat Kohli Dedicates RCB’s IPL 2025 Triumph to AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle
In a heartwarming moment of triumph and camaraderie, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli broke down with emotion as his team clinched their long-awaited IPL 2025 title, ending an 18-year drought. But amidst the roaring celebrations at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, Kohli ensured that two of RCB’s biggest icons—AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle—shared the spotlight in this historic victory.
RCB edged past Punjab Kings by a nail-biting margin of six runs in the IPL 2025 final, sealing their maiden championship on a night charged with raw emotion. As the final ball was bowled, Kohli’s thoughts immediately turned to his former teammates, with whom he had fought many battles for the coveted trophy. In a touching gesture during the post-match presentation, he dedicated the win to de Villiers and Gayle, calling it as much their victory as his own.
“I poured my prime years into this franchise alongside these two legends. We came agonizingly close a couple of times, especially in 2016 when we lost the final. We had the talent, the explosiveness, but somehow, we couldn’t cross that final hurdle. This moment today is for them as much as it is for me,” Kohli said, his voice trembling with emotion during a heartfelt chat with broadcasters.
De Villiers and Gayle, both present on the sidelines, watched as the team they once defined finally lifted the trophy. The trio had been the heartbeat of RCB during its formative years in the IPL, transforming the franchise into a global fan favorite with their breathtaking performances. De Villiers, with 4,522 runs at a staggering strike rate of 158.33, and Gayle, with 3,163 runs including a record-breaking 175 not out and five centuries, were pillars of RCB’s explosive batting line-up. Kohli himself has been the franchise’s leading run-scorer with over 7,000 runs, a testament to his enduring commitment.
“I promised myself this would feel ten times more special with these two standing beside me. Honestly, it’s equally their trophy,” Kohli added, as the crowd erupted in applause for the legendary trio. “When they visit Bengaluru, the fans still go berserk. Their contribution to RCB is unparalleled, and they’ve given everything to this team.”
This victory wasn’t just about breaking a title jinx for Kohli or RCB; it was about fulfilling a shared legacy. The 2016 IPL final loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite Kohli’s record-breaking 973 runs in that season, had left a deep scar on the team and its loyal supporters. De Villiers’ innovative stroke play and Gayle’s brute power had often lit up the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, yet the ultimate glory had eluded them—until now.
As the celebrations unfolded under the Ahmedabad sky, with fireworks painting the night, Kohli, de Villiers, and Gayle stood shoulder to shoulder, a poignant reminder of the journey they embarked on together. For RCB fans worldwide, this wasn’t just a win; it was a tribute to years of passion, heartbreak, and unrelenting hope. And for Virat Kohli, it was a promise kept—to his team, his city, and two brothers in arms who helped build the RCB dream.