Virat Kohli opened up about the profound emotional bond he shares with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), explaining how the franchise not only shaped his own cricketing journey but also helped global stars like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle become iconic figures among Indian fans.
Kohli on RCB's Impact on Players
Speaking on a podcast with RCB, Kohli reflected on the emotional impact the franchise has had on players over the years and why finally winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) title after 18 seasons felt uniquely special. He stated that RCB has always possessed a natural ability to connect with players and elevate them beyond mere on-field performances. According to Kohli, AB de Villiers became a beloved icon in India largely due to the love and support he received while representing RCB.
"I mean, it's impact, right? AB became this icon in India after he started playing for us, how the fans embraced him, how they loved him, what he did for the team was beyond words, the impact he had. Very organically, things fell in place with Chris as well. He was sitting at home, gets called midseason, has the season of his life. He's completely life changed within a week coming to Bangalore. So our franchise, our city, our team, our fans, has been about impacting people in a very natural way," Virat Kohli said.
Emotional Title Triumph After 18 Years
Kohli admitted that he personally experienced that impact more than anyone else during his 18-year association with the franchise, culminating in the long-awaited IPL title triumph last season. He described the emotional scenes after the victory, when he dropped to his knees in tears, as a moment of gratitude rather than relief.
"I felt that impact probably more than anyone over the course of 18 years, till the last year we won the trophy. And I think all those emotions, all those feelings came out in a form of just being on my knees and just holding my hands and saying, thank you, that I could experience this before I stopped playing," Kohli revealed.
The batting superstar further explained that the 18-year wait made the title victory even more meaningful. He noted that the emotional weight of years of pressure, expectations, and heartbreak made the eventual triumph incomparable to anything he might have felt had RCB won the trophy earlier in their journey.
"I can for sure, with absolute honesty and clarity, say that it wouldn't have been 5% of the feeling I had had we won in the earlier years, and the accumulation of all that stress and all that pressure. And for it to happen after 18 years, there couldn't have been a better experience for me in my cricketing journey," Kohli concluded.
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