One of the biggest names in world cricket, he has achieved almost all the global successes. The regret was about the trophy of the most popular competition of franchise cricket, IPL. Indian star Virat Kohli finally erased that regret of 18 years. Where Kohli has been playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore since the birth of IPL in 2008. He has broken his heart three times before, he finally became the champion by playing the final for the fourth time.
Before the final against Punjab Kings yesterday (Tuesday), the gallery of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad took on the colors of Bengaluru. It was as if everyone had come to see a team and their big star Kohli win. With much time left in the match, the victory was leaning towards Bengaluru. It was just a matter of waiting for the last hour. Knowing what was going to happen, Kohli started crying with four balls left. After the last ball, he knelt down on the ground. He covered his eyes with both hands.
After the 6-run victory was confirmed, Kohli was overwhelmed with the joy of absolute achievement. The pats on the backs of his two teammates from the side, the roar of the entire field, the crazy excitement of his teammates – nothing could touch him. After a while, he said, ‘As a sportsman, we are waiting for such moments, this is one of the high-quality tournaments in current world cricket. “I have always wanted to be a part of big tournaments and big moments. But this (IPL title) was incomplete and tonight I will sleep like a baby.”
Of course, the wait was not only for Kohli, but also for the Bengaluru fans who returned home with broken hearts after 17 long years and three finals, so he remembered, ‘This trophy is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It has been 18 years since I saw this day. I have given this team my youth, my best time and experience. I have tried my best to win the trophy every season, I have given my all. Even then, I did not get the trophy. It is an incredible feeling to finally see this day.’
Kohli said about the moment of victory, “I never thought I would see this day. So after the last ball, I couldn’t control my emotions anymore. I gave every ounce of my energy to this team.” South African legend AB de Villiers played with him in the Bangalore jersey for a long time. Kohli also gave him credit after winning the championship, “What AB has done for this team cannot be denied in any way. After the match, I told him, “This victory is as much ours as it is yours. I want you to celebrate with us.”
Another Caribbean legend, Chris Gayle, also played in Bengaluru for a few years. Kohli got both Villiers and Virat Kohli to the final victory stage. After becoming the champion, Kohli shared happy memories with his teammates like this, ‘The three of us have spent so many years together with this team. All three of us gave our best time to Bengaluru. That memory will never be forgotten. So today, when I win the trophy, the first thing that comes to mind is them. I am lucky to have them by my side today. I want them to go to Bengaluru with the team and celebrate the trophy win.’
Finally, the topic of wife Anushka Sharma came up. The Indian star was by his side in good times and bad times on the field. Yesterday too, there was a look of disbelief in her eyes. Crediting Anushka for winning the title, Kohli said, ‘She has been supporting Bengaluru since 2014. She herself is a Bengaluru girl. She has seen me the most. When I went through difficult times, when I was broken, and nothing seemed to be going well, Anushka stood by my side. She gave me hope. She gave me the courage to stand up again. None of this would have been possible without my wife by my side.
