Latest news with #MoBobat
India Today
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
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 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 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 "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 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
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Get addicted to winning: RCB's director of cricket Bobat tells players after maiden title
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's director of cricket, Mo Bobat, elated after their IPL victory against Punjab Kings, now aims for a consecutive title. He lauded Virat Kohli's dedication over the past 18 years and urged the team to embrace the winning feeling. Bobat emphasized the team's collective effort and resilience in overcoming challenges throughout the season. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Their long-cherished dream finally realised, Royal Challengers Bengaluru 's director of cricket Mo Bobat has now set his sights on claiming a second successive IPL title next year, and urged his players to "get addicted to winning."RCB ended 18 years of wait to win an IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in a close final here on a stirring speech in the dressing room, Bobat also thanked RCB talisman Virat Kohli for giving his all for the team's cause since the league's inaugural edition in 2008."When I think about what we have gone through this season, one word that comes to my mind is special. The way we played has been special, that inspired people."We think about the game, we think about the aggressive nature of cricket we played, the environment that we created was really special. That's what gives you these sorts of results," Bobat said during the speech, the video of which was posted by RCB on 36-year-old Kohli, who retired from Test cricket last month, had been dreaming of winning the title in the world's biggest T20 league for the last 18 years."This is without question one of the most anticipated trophies in world sport and we think about what our fans have gone through, what Virat has gone through for all those years. This is a hugely anticipated trophy."I know you don't like to be singled out, Virat, but thank you for everything as a senior player and an icon player of this team. Everything you have put in over the last 18 years, you deserve this moment," Bobat asked his players to make winning a habit and is looking to claim back-to-back IPL titles , something that only two teams have achieved so far -- Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019, 2020)."We need to enjoy tonight, we have to massively enjoy tonight but get time to look around you and like we have done through the season I am actually asking you to make sure we really really get addicted to this feeling because this is the start."Not many teams have won back-to-back IPLs. It happened twice before, next we will have final in Bengaluru and we go again. So get addicted to the feeling tonight. That feelings drives the hunger for addiction to winning and winning that trophy," he who has previously served as the performance director for England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for 12 years, said it was a complete team effort from RCB that culminated in a maiden title triumph."Everybody in this room should be incredibly proud of your team, those who played those who haven't played, every member, staff, content team, everybody it's a good team effort."I think the magnitude of what we have achieved we will feel in the next few days when we go and see Bengaluru go crazy tomorrow," he said."Everyone contributing, it was proper team effort. Everybody contributing in every department. Those away wins were the special things we ticked off, something that other teams haven't done before."Getting in top 2 and then finish the job, so much to be proud of and also all the challenges we overcame. Think about the disruption when everybody went home, when he called back everyone got back together. Restart, injuries all those things have challenged us to come together," he thanked all the players, support staff and team management for their combined effort in this wonderful journey."I want to thank all the players, those who haven't played as well. As coaches we had a clear picture how we want to play our cricket and we were committed to that fully."Some extraordinary commitments, Salty (Phil Salt) unbelievable you were. For you to do what you have done in the last few days after coming back in, top stuff mate we appreciate that. Hoff (Hazzlewood) as well," he said. Rajat (Patidar) well done as captain. We didn't even need to win the toss today. Quick thank you for the staff, coaches, you have really worked hard especially science and medicine staff."Opps (Operations team) and logistics guys well done, content team. It was a real team effort. Andy (Flower) I wanna thank you, you have proven again why the best head coach you are."
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Make sure that we get addicted to this feeling of winning': RCB director Mo Bobat urges team to get addicted to titles after maiden IPL trophy
With Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning their maiden Indian Premier League title after a long wait of 17 years, it has also meant that the league got a new champion team this time. With only two teams having won back-to-back IPL titles in the league's history, RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat has urged the Rajat Patidar-led RCB to get addicted to the feeling of winning and win the title next year to join the illustrious list of teams winning back-to-back titles. Only Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indian have won back-to-back IPL titles and Bobat believes winning the title this year will get the team addicted to winning. '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. Its' 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 as shared by RCB social media. It took RCB a long wait of 17 years to win their maiden IPL title. While the team had advanced to the IPL final thrice before, they team had lost all three IPL finals. Incidentally, all of RCB's losses in the IPL final had come while batting second. On Tuesday, RCB set a target of 191 runs against Punjab Kings, followed by their bowlers restricting Punjab Kings to a total of 184 runs and handing the team a six-run win. Bobat termed the winning trophy as one of the most anticipated trophies in the world. '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 kind 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 of their seven away games in the league stage and also won Qualifier 1 and final played at the 'away' venues. Bobat also talked about how the team came back after the break due to the suspension of IPL due to India-Pakistan hostilities. '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.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
IPL 2025: Players are very focused and determined to finish the job, says RCB's Bobat
New Delhi: After Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the IPL 2025 final on the back of a clinical eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, director of cricket Mo Bobat said the players are very focused and determined to complete the task of winning the title. With the dominating win in Qualifier 1, the Rajat Patidar-led RCB reached an IPL final for the first time in nine years. Interestingly, the IPL 2016 season was also the last time RCB finished in the top two during the league stage. "We're proud of the way we've played throughout the season. The way the group has taken on challenges - with bravery, composure and aggressive intent, reflects the collective character we've built through the season. We've ticked off a few important milestones on the way here, but this is obviously the one that matters most. "We have many match winners and it's been great to see everyone contributing. After a long and gruelling league phase, the playoffs are a time to really trust in and enjoy your cricket. The final will be a great occasion, especially for our fans, and the players are very focused and determined to finish the job,' said Bobat in a release by the franchise on Friday. RCB's success in IPL 2025 has been shaped by every player stepping up to make the team win irrespective of how the situation was. Virat Kohli has scored more than 600 runs in a season – the fifth time it's happened in the IPL. Kohli has struck eight half-centuries, which is the most by any batter this season. Apart from Kohli, nine other batters have registered half-centuries – Patidar, Phil Salt, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd, as well as Devdutt Padikkal and Jacob Bethell, both of whom will not feature again this season citing injury and international duty respectively. With the ball, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has led the charge with 21 wickets, while Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have picked 15 wickets each, and leg-spinner Suyash Sharma has eight scalps. Nine different RCB players have won the Player of the Match awards in this season, where the side won all of its away games – a feat achieved by no other team in IPL's history. RCB will now take the field in the title clash against the winner of Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3.
India Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Earlier win over Punjab Kings, a confidence booster ahead of qualifier 1: RCB Director
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) director of cricket Mo Bobat has said that the team will take confidence from their previous win against Punjab Kings (PBKS) heading into Qualifier 1. RCB are set to take on PBKS on Thursday, May 29 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The two teams have faced each other twice in the ongoing seaosn and won one match PBKS beat RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB beat Punjab in the second fixture in Mullanpur by chasing down 159. Ahead of the all-important Qualifier 1, Mo Bobat said that the team will take confidence from their previous win over PBKS and are ready for the challenge posed by Punjab Kings (PBKS).'It feels a little dissatisfying since you can't really enjoy the win. But that's the reality of the schedule. The boys put a lot into it in the last game, and the group phase of the competition. But the reality is that know it's the knockout stages and you got to be ready for that. We are playing Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, and they are a good side, that's playing good cricket. So I am really looking forward to the game. The thing that is encouraging for us is that we have played Punjab Kings, at that venue, on that surface and we have had success there, so the team will take confidence from that,' Mo Bobat said in a media RCB finished second on the points table with nine wins from 14 matches, having 19 points to their name. They managed to seal their position in top two with a thumping six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in the last league fixture. They chased down 228 in 18.4 overs, courtesy of a sensational knock from stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma (85* off 33). Jitesh's innings helped RCB finish in top two after nine years and have a golden chance of making it to the final for the first time since updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!
