Kohli dedicates IPL title to former teammates De Villiers, Gayle
‘They gave their heart and soul to the team,’ sporting icon says after lifting trophy
04 June 2025 - 13:55
byPearl Josephine Nazare
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifts the IPL trophy after beating the Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmadabad, India. Picture: PANKAJ NANGIA/Getty Images
Bengaluru
Virat Kohli dedicated Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB’s) first Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 17 seasons to his former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, and said the duo had given their all to make the franchise a success.
Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by six runs in the final in Ahmadabad, Gujarat, on Tuesday, a long-awaited title win which reduced 36-year-old Kohli to tears.
Kohli has been with the franchise since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league and helped them reach three previous finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016.
Former SA wicketkeeper-batter De Villiers played for Bengaluru from 2011-2021, while ex-West Indies all-rounder Gayle represented them from 2011 to 2017, with both experiencing the heartache of lost finals beside Kohli.
“I’ve shared my prime years with them and I know how much we tried to win this and we felt we were so close a couple of times,” Kohli told broadcasters.
“We were such a good team and we had that explosiveness in our team but we could never cross the line and all of us have that hurt because we gave our prime years to this franchise and we really wanted to win that title for RCB.
“I promise you this feels like 10 times more special just because these two are standing next to us.”
De Villiers and Gayle joined the Bengaluru team on the podium to raise the trophy.
“The title is honestly as much theirs as it’s mine because it’s the connection you see when they come to Bengaluru,” Kohli said.
“When they come you see how people love them and they go absolutely berserk because they know and they appreciate that they’ve given their heart and soul for this team ...”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Kohli dedicates IPL title to former teammates De Villiers, Gayle
‘They gave their heart and soul to the team,’ sporting icon says after lifting trophy
Bengaluru
Virat Kohli dedicated Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB’s) first Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 17 seasons to his former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, and said the duo had given their all to make the franchise a success.
Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by six runs in the final in Ahmadabad, Gujarat, on Tuesday, a long-awaited title win which reduced 36-year-old Kohli to tears.
Kohli has been with the franchise since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league and helped them reach three previous finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016.
Former SA wicketkeeper-batter De Villiers played for Bengaluru from 2011-2021, while ex-West Indies all-rounder Gayle represented them from 2011 to 2017, with both experiencing the heartache of lost finals beside Kohli.
“I’ve shared my prime years with them and I know how much we tried to win this and we felt we were so close a couple of times,” Kohli told broadcasters.
“We were such a good team and we had that explosiveness in our team but we could never cross the line and all of us have that hurt because we gave our prime years to this franchise and we really wanted to win that title for RCB.
“I promise you this feels like 10 times more special just because these two are standing next to us.”
De Villiers and Gayle joined the Bengaluru team on the podium to raise the trophy.
“The title is honestly as much theirs as it’s mine because it’s the connection you see when they come to Bengaluru,” Kohli said.
“When they come you see how people love them and they go absolutely berserk because they know and they appreciate that they’ve given their heart and soul for this team ...”
Reuters
Big-hitter Klaasen retires from international cricket
Virat Kohli’s Bengaluru bag maiden IPL title
Root masterclass as England beat West Indies to clinch ODI series
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Big-hitter Klaasen retires from international cricket
Virat Kohli’s Bengaluru bag maiden IPL title
Aussies also have insecurities, says Proteas’ Stubbs
Root masterclass as England beat West Indies to clinch ODI series
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.