Kohli dedicates IPL title to fans
Virat Kohli said it was 'as much for the fans' after he finally won the IPL at his 18th attempt, with Bengaluru's ecstatic supporters preparing to welcome home their heroes.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by six runs in a roller-coaster IPL final Tuesday in Ahmedabad in front of more than 91,000 fans, who erupted in joy when Kohli lifted the trophy at the world's biggest cricket stadium.
The 36-year-old Kohli, the only man to have played all 18 years for the same IPL team since its inaugural season in 2008, fittingly top-scored with 43 to anchor Bengaluru to victory.
Kohli, who captained Bengaluru in 143 matches between 2011 and 2023, had been on the losing side in three previous IPL finals.
Later yesterday he was set to celebrate with his teammates at t h e main stadium in the southern city of Bengaluru.
Police said that initial plans for an open-top bus parade would not take place in Bengaluru's notoriously bad traffic.
'I said it straight away -- this title is as much for the fans as it is for us,' said Kohli.
' These people have backed us relentlessly for 18 years.
'We've had horrible seasons and great ones too, but they turned up for every game in Bengaluru.
' I've never seen loyalty like that. That's what made me stay.'
India cricket great Sachin Tendulkar led the tributes for Kohli and Bengaluru.
'Congratulations on their first-ever IPL title. Fitting that jersey no. 18 lifts the trophy in the 18th edition,' Tendulkar posted on X.
Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower said: 'Virat in his 18th year of competing in the IPL, I think that makes it really special for everyone involved.
'I am really happy for him and really proud of the way that he's driven the side forward.'
'Monkey off the back'
The tech city of Bengaluru erupted in midnight celebrations after RCB, who scored 190-9, restricted Punjab to 184- 7.
Thousands of fans wore Kohli's number 18 shirt and danced in the streets as fireworks lit up the sky.
'It's not an easy tournament to win,' Punjab head coach Ricky Ponting said.
'You have to think long and hard about that, think how many good teams they have had over the years.
'You can see what it meant to (Kohli), his wife and all the RCB fans to finally get the monkey off the back and win an IPL title.'
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Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
Kohli dedicates IPL title to fans
Virat Kohli said it was 'as much for the fans' after he finally won the IPL at his 18th attempt, with Bengaluru's ecstatic supporters preparing to welcome home their heroes. Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by six runs in a roller-coaster IPL final Tuesday in Ahmedabad in front of more than 91,000 fans, who erupted in joy when Kohli lifted the trophy at the world's biggest cricket stadium. The 36-year-old Kohli, the only man to have played all 18 years for the same IPL team since its inaugural season in 2008, fittingly top-scored with 43 to anchor Bengaluru to victory. Kohli, who captained Bengaluru in 143 matches between 2011 and 2023, had been on the losing side in three previous IPL finals. Later yesterday he was set to celebrate with his teammates at t h e main stadium in the southern city of Bengaluru. Police said that initial plans for an open-top bus parade would not take place in Bengaluru's notoriously bad traffic. 'I said it straight away -- this title is as much for the fans as it is for us,' said Kohli. ' These people have backed us relentlessly for 18 years. 'We've had horrible seasons and great ones too, but they turned up for every game in Bengaluru. ' I've never seen loyalty like that. That's what made me stay.' India cricket great Sachin Tendulkar led the tributes for Kohli and Bengaluru. 'Congratulations on their first-ever IPL title. Fitting that jersey no. 18 lifts the trophy in the 18th edition,' Tendulkar posted on X. Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower said: 'Virat in his 18th year of competing in the IPL, I think that makes it really special for everyone involved. 'I am really happy for him and really proud of the way that he's driven the side forward.' 'Monkey off the back' The tech city of Bengaluru erupted in midnight celebrations after RCB, who scored 190-9, restricted Punjab to 184- 7. Thousands of fans wore Kohli's number 18 shirt and danced in the streets as fireworks lit up the sky. 'It's not an easy tournament to win,' Punjab head coach Ricky Ponting said. 'You have to think long and hard about that, think how many good teams they have had over the years. 'You can see what it meant to (Kohli), his wife and all the RCB fans to finally get the monkey off the back and win an IPL title.'
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Celebration Turns Fatal: RCB Fans Caught in Stampede, 11 Killed
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Kohli's Bengaluru fulfils IPL dream
Batting great Virat Kohli fulfilled an 18-year dream of winning an IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru after they beat Punjab Kings by six runs in yesterday's final in Ahmedabad. Kohli's 43 from 35 balls at the top of the order set up Bengaluru for an imposing total of 190-9 which was one big blow too many for a Punjab side that battled until the end, finishing on 184-7. More than 91,000 fans packed into the 132,000-capacity stadium, a sea of Bengaluru's red and Kohli's jersey number 18 dominating the stands as chants of 'Kohli, Kohli' rang out. They celebrated noisily when Kohli and RCB clinched victory for the first time in the 18 years of the IPL, their three previous finals having all ended in defeat. The 36-year-old Kohli, one of India's all-time greats in all formats of the game, collapsed on the ground after the win and then got up to be hugged by his teammates as the crowd celebrated their hero. 'This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team, it's been 18 long years,' said Kohli. 'I've given this team my youth, my prime, my experience. I gave it everything I have. 'I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotion as soon as the last ball was bowled. 'I have stayed loyal to this team, no matter what. My heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore and this is the team I'll play for till the last day I play the IPL.' Punjab put up a feisty response to the Bengaluru total but faltered in their chase after left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya took 2-17 from his four overs. Shashank Singh hit a valiant 61 not out and finished with three sixes and a four off Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood who defended 29 runs in the final over. Hazlewood, who took 3-21 against Punjab in last week's qualifier win after recovering from a shoulder injury, struck first to send back left-handed Priyansh Arya for 24 with Phil Salt taking a stunning catch at the ropes. Impact substitute Prabhsimran Singh was the next to go off Pandya but the Bengaluru crowd went wild when Romario Shepherd had skipper Shreyas Iyer caught behind for one. 'King Kohli' Pandya stuck again to cut short Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis' stay on 39 and Bengaluru seized momentum and Shashank's late blitz was not enough. 'I am very proud of each and every individual who has participated in this team,' said Iyer. 'There are a lot of youngsters who are playing their first season, they've shown a lot of fearlessness. We wouldn't be here without them. Kudos to them.' Bengaluru had the perfect start as 'King Kohli' dug in. Far from his fluent best, he only struck three fours during his innings but in the end it turned out to be key. He lost opening partner Salt for 16 when New Zealand quick Kyle Jamieson struck in his first over to have the England batter caught in the deep off Iyer. Kohli, who was his team's best batter this season with 657 runs including eight half-centuries, anchored the innings, sharing important partnerships with Mayank Agarwal, who made 24, and then skipper Rajat Patidar, who hit 26.
