Get addicted to titles, defend IPL crown in 2026: Director Mo Babat to RCB
After 17 long years of waiting, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted their first IPL trophy-and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat wants this to be just the beginning. Moments after RCB edged out Punjab Kings by six runs in a tense final in Ahmedabad, Bobat delivered a passionate address in the dressing room, urging his players to make a habit of winning and to set their sights firmly on defending the title in 2026.advertisement"I am gonna ask you to really make sure that we get addicted to this feeling of winning. Because this is a start. Not many teams have won back to back IPL titles. It has happened twice before. Next year, we will have a final in Bangalore and we will go again. So get addicted to the feeling tonight. Because it's that feeling which then drives the hunger to go again next year. It's that addiction to winning, winning that trophy and sharing these moments which spurs us on and drives us on. We will be back next year and win that trophy again," Bobat told the team members in a dressing room speech shared by RCB on social media.RCB had fallen short in three IPL finals-in 2009, 2011, and 2016-but finally ended their wait in 2025. The Rajat Patidar-led side posted 191 in the final and held their nerve as Punjab Kings fell short by six runs. The win carried immense significance for Virat Kohli, who has stayed loyal to the franchise since the league began in 2008. During his speech, Bobat acknowledged Kohli's unwavering commitment and years of hard work.advertisement
"This is without question one of the most anticipated trophies in world sport. When we think about what our fans have gone through, when we think about what Virat has gone through all those years. It's a hugely anticipated trophy and the magnitude of that will hit us. When I talk about what we have gone through this season, one word comes to my mind: Special. The way we have played has been special. That's inspired people. When we think about games we clawed us back into, the aggressive nature of our cricket is special. Environment and culture of the team helps you win and that's what we have achieved," Bobat said.RCB won all seven of their away games in the league stage and backed it up with victories in both the Qualifier and the final, played at neutral venues. The season faced a mid-tournament interruption due to military tensions between India and Pakistan, but the team regrouped and returned stronger after the break."Everybody contributed. There were away wins. That's a special thing we ticked off. Something other teams have not done before. Think about the disruptions we had. When everybody went home. How we pulled back and had a restart. Injuries and all sorts of things we fought back. In the years to come, could be tomorrow, could be weeks or years to come. When you see somebody from this room, you will know that you have shared this season together. That's the most special feeling. That's what sports is all about. That's what winning the trophies is all about," he said. You May Also Like
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