11:50:15 PM IST, 03 Jun 2025
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings Live Score: Virat Kohli after the win!
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings Live Score: "This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. I've given this team my youth, prime and experience. Tried to win it every season, gave it everything I can. Never thought this day would come, was overcome with emotion after we won. What ABD has done for the franchise is tremendous, told him 'this is as much yours as it is ours'. He's been the POTM most times in the franchise despite being retired for four years. He deserves to be on the podium, lifting the cup. This win is right up there, I've stayed loyal to this team. I had moments otherwise, but I stayed with them and them with me. My heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. This is a high-intensity tournament, I want to win the big tournaments and moments. Tonight, I'll sleep like a baby. I look for ways to improve, I want to field and make an impact there. God's blessed me with perspective and talent. Just put my head down and worked as heart as I can. In the auction, people questioned our tactics but we were happy with what we had. Management kept us positive, the players were amazing. This moment is the best I've had and it still marks five levels under Test, I'd urge youngsters to give your heart and soul to it and that's what'll give you respect," Kohli said.
"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 POTM 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. This win is right up there, I've stayed loyal to this team. I had moments otherwise, but I stayed with them and them with me. My heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. This is a high-intensity tournament, I want to win the big tournaments and moments. Tonight, I'll sleep like a baby. I look for ways to improve, I want to field and make an impact there. God's blessed me with perspective and talent. Just put my head down and worked as heart as I can. In the auction, people questioned our tactics but we were happy with what we had. Management kept us positive, the players were amazing. This moment is the best I've had and it still marks five levels under Test, I'd urge youngsters to give your heart and soul to it and that's what'll give you respect," Kohli added.
"[On what inspires him] 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. 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. This management, this group of players has been outstanding, to be honest. They've gotten the right kind of players, match winners, people who take the game on. In the auction, a lot of people questioned our tactics. But by day two, we were very happy with what we had. And we had a lot of confidence in the strength of this group. And I want to give a big shout out to this team. It would not have been possible without each and every one in the squad, in the playing XI, the management backing the players, keeping us positive throughout when the going got tough. So it's everyone's. I don't want to stand here and talk about myself. There's a lot that's spoken about me already. This win is for Bangalore. And it's for each and every one of the players, and the families, and the whole management as well," Virat Kohli concludes.