Cricket-Kohli dedicates IPL title to former Bengaluru team mates de Villiers, Gayle
Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli celebrates with the trophy and his wife Anushka Sharma after winning the Indian Premier League REUTERS/Amit Dave
(Reuters) -Virat Kohli dedicated Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 17 seasons to his former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle and said the duo had given their heart and soul to make the franchise a success.
Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by six runs in the final in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, a long-awaited title win which reduced 36-year-old Kohli to tears.
Kohli has been with the franchise since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league and helped them reach three previous finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016, losing all three.
Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter De Villiers played for Bengaluru from 2011-2021 while ex-West Indies all-rounder Gayle represented them from 2011 to 2017, with both experiencing the heartache of lost finals beside Kohli.
"I've shared my prime years with them and I know how much we tried to win this and we felt we were so close couple of times," Kohli told broadcasters.
"We were such a good team and we had that explosiveness in our team but we could never cross the line and all of us have that hurt because we gave our prime years to this franchise and we really, really — from the bottom of our hearts — wanted to win that title for RCB.
"I promise you this feels like 10 times more special just because of the fact that these two are standing next to us."
De Villiers and Gayle joined the Bengaluru team on the podium to raise the trophy.
"The title is honestly as much theirs as it's mine because it's the connection you see when they come to Bengaluru," Kohli said.
"When they come you see how people love them and they go absolutely berserk because they know and they appreciate that they've given their heart and soul for this team ..."
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Cricket-West Indies recall Hope, drop Roach for home series v Australia
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Second One Day International - England v West Indies - Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - June 1, 2025 West Indies' Shai Hope in action Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo (Reuters) -West Indies batter Shai Hope is in line to play his first test in almost four years after being recalled to the squad for their home series against Australia, but veteran pacer Kemah Roach has been dropped. The three-test series, which begins in Barbados on June 25, marks the start of the team's new World Test Championship cycle. Limited-overs captain Hope has played 38 tests, the last of which came in Sri Lanka in late 2021. Kevlon Anderson earned a first test call-up while Brandon King was also included in the squad to strengthen their batting order against World Test Champions Australia's formidable pace attack. "Brandon King's inclusion fits a role we have identified that needs special focus to take our team to those closer to the top of the rankings," head coach Daren Sammy said in a statement issued by Cricket West Indies on Tuesday. With Roach dropped from the squad, which is captained by Roston Chase, the pace bowling duties will largely fall to Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph. Sammy asked fans to be patient with the team, which currently ranks eighth in tests. "I am truly looking forward to this series because we want to start off strongly and make our home turf a fortress during this cycle, while having our passionate and proud fans behind us," Sammy said. "The matches will be challenging but I believe in this core of players, and they are eager to wear the maroon and make our fans happy." Squad: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican, Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Peter Rutherford)
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Drugs ban gives Rabada extra motivation for WTC final, says Bavuma
LONDON: South Africa are backing fast bowler Kagiso Rabada to bring extra motivation to the World Test Championship final against Australia after serving a one-month drugs ban. Rabada tested positive for cocaine in January, which was only revealed in April, and served a one-month ban while competing in the Indian Premier League. It has been an embarrassing episode for the 30-year-old Rabada, second in the world test bowling rankings, but his captain Temba Bavuma said he expected it would fire him up for the game at Lord's starting on Wednesday. "It's definitely a motivation. It's been a couple of weeks now that everything has unfolded," Bavuma told a press conference on Tuesday. "He had a conversation with the team and put himself on the spot for further questioning from any of the players. As far as we are concerned, that's kind of behind us, we really come here with the focus of what we need to do. "And I think he's in the best shape that he's ever been. Playing against the Australians as well, that'll be extra motivation for him. I think he's in a very good space." Rabada will lead the attack along with Marco Jansen, with Lungi Ngidi as first change after he was preferred in the team to veteran seamer Dane Paterson, who had been in contention for a place because of his experience on English wickets. "It's probably one of the tougher decisions that we've have to make. It was more from a tactical point of view; probably a little bit more pace coming from Lungi," Bavuma said. South Africa have also promoted all-rounder Wiaan Mulder up to number three in the batting order. "He's quite young, obviously, in that position. But having seen the way he's kind of grown in the last two years within the red-ball game, it's about giving him a lot more confidence, backing him, and just allowing him to do what he does best," Bavuma said. South Africa are competing in the final for the first time while Australia are defending champions. South Africa team: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi. — REUTERS
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Former West Indies captain Pooran retires from internationals
FORMER West Indies white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran announced his retirement from international duty on Monday. Pooran hit 13 half-centuries in 106 Twenty20 Internationals and amassed 2,275 runs to become West Indies' leading scorer in the shortest format. One of the world's most explosive batters, the 29-year-old smashed 149 sixes in T20 Internationals to stand fifth overall. He served as West Indies' limited overs skipper but gave up the captaincy after their first-round exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup. "This game we love has given and will continue to give so much - joy, purpose, unforgettable memories, and a chance to represent the people of the West Indies," the Trinidadian said in a social media post on Monday. "Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field... it's hard to put into words what that truly means to me. "To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart." Pooran last played for West Indies in their 3-0 T20 series defeat by Bangladesh in December last year, while his most recent ODI appearance came in July 2023 against Sri Lanka. "Nicholas officially informed the leadership of his decision to retire from international cricket, bringing to a close a significant chapter in his career," Cricket West Indies said in a statement. "His performances on the field and influence within the team have made a lasting impact on West Indies cricket." Pooran opted to skip West Indies' ongoing T20 series against England, requesting to be rested after playing for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League. He is likely to remain active on the lucrative global T20 league circuit. — REUTERS
