Virat Kohli was in tears when Josh Hazlewood had bowled his second last delivery of the 20th over, and after he finished his over, an emotionally choked Virat Kohli was seen kissing the Motera turf as RCB won their maiden IPL title.
“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,” Kohli said after the win. “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. Gave each and every ounce of my energy and it’s an amazing feeling.”
His best buddy and former RCB batter AB de Villiers was standing at the edge of the boundary during the final overs and Kohli paid a tribute to him as well.
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“What ABD has done for the franchise is tremendous, told him ‘this win is as much yours as it is ours. I want you to celebrate with us’. He’s been the ‘Player Of The Match’ most times in the franchise despite being retired for four years. Tells you the impact he’s had on the league, team and me. He deserves to be on the podium, lifting the Cup.”
However, commentator Matthew Hayden asked him where he rates his first IPL Trophy, after having won the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy so far as well. To which, Kohli shared his emotions.
“Well, 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,” he stated.
“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. 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,” he further added.
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“As a sportsman, 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 that wants to win the big tournaments, the big moments, and this one was missing,” Kohli said.
A sportsman’s career is a short one unlike normal professions and Kohli wants to make everyday on the field count. “Well, I have an opportunity to play this game for not many years. So there is an end date to our career, as you know. And by the time that I hang up my boots, I want to sit at home and say I gave it everything I had. So I look for ways to improve,” he again shared.
For Virat Kohli, playing as an Impact Player isn’t an option as he wants to be there on the field for the entire match.
“I can’t play as an impact player, I want to feel 20 overs and make an impact in the field. That’s the kind of player I have been. And God’s blessed me with that perspective, with the talent. And then you find different ways to help the team,” Virat Kohli concluded.
