I never thought this day would come... I'm going to sleep like a baby: Kohli

Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their 17-year-long wait to get their hands on the coveted IPL trophy in 2025. In the afterglow of the the title-victory, Kohli spoke to the broadcasters about his immediate feeling, having AB de Villiers around and where it ranks in his illustrious career for him...

First thoughts on the title win...

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, my pride, and my experience. And I've tried to win this every season that I come. And I've given everything I have. And to finally have this moment come, it's an unbelievable feeling.

I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotion as soon as the last ball was bowled in. It means so much to me. I've just, as I said, given each and every ounce of my energy to this team. And finally having won the IPL, it's an amazing feeling.

On AB de Villiers being there...

I mean, what he's done for this franchise is absolutely tremendous. And I told him that before the game as well. This one is as much yours as it is ours. And I want you to celebrate with us when we lift that trophy by the end of the night. Because what he's done for RCB is so very special. He's still got maximum number of man-of-the-match awards. He's been retired four years now. So that tells you the impact he's had on the league, on this team. On me as a person. Our friendship. And what he means to the people of Bangalore, to this team, to this franchise. It's something that I can't describe in words. So as I said, he deserves to be on that podium with all of us lifting that trophy tonight.

How highly this title win ranks for him...

Well, it's right up there, if I have to be honest. As I said, I've given everything that I have 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. 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.

You know, as a sportsman, when you're crying for something, 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. And tonight, I'm going to sleep like a baby.

On having the energy for so long...

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 am. They've got the right kind of match players, people who take the game on, take 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 everyone in the squad, in the playing 11, 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 board management as well.

You know, this moment is right up there with the best moments I've had in my career, but it still marks five levels under Test Cricket. That's how much I value Test Cricket, and that's how much I love Test Cricket. So I would just urge the youngsters coming through to treat that format with respect, because if you perform in Test Cricket, you walk around anywhere in the world, people look you in the eye and shake your hand and say, well done, you played the game really well.