For Virat Kohli, the triumph at IPL 2025 carried extra significance with AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle by his side. The three, often hailed as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s iconic trio, were visibly moved as they celebrated their long-awaited IPL title after a tight six-run win against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.
Reflecting on the victory, Kohli shared his thoughts with de Villiers and Gayle, taking them down a nostalgic road. The team’s chant evolved from “ee sala cup namde” (this time the cup will be ours) to “Ee sala, cup namdu!” (this time this cup is ours) as they basked in their success.
Kohli was particularly appreciative of de Villiers, who had been pivotal to the team for many years. “What he’s done for the franchise is absolutely tremendous,” Kohli remarked. “This one is as much yours as it is ours, and I said before the game, I want you to celebrate with us when we lift that trophy,” crediting de Villiers with numerous Man of the Match awards that cemented his legacy.
The moment de Villiers stood by the boundary, poised for his post-game broadcast duties, was a poignant one for Kohli. “Having you right at the boundary line in the last two overs made it more special,” he confessed to de Villiers. “Watching those final balls unfold was overwhelming.”
Chris Gayle, sporting an RCB jersey and red turban, also revelled in the momentous win. He expressed his disbelief over breaking the title drought and shared, “Eighteen years, man. What a lucky number. I’m happy for you and for the franchise.”
Kohli, reflecting on his relationship with his former teammates, added, “It’s special to share it with these two because they were a part of my prime years. We were close a few times [in 2011 and 2016] and had such a strong team back then. This is a victory for those years of dedication.”
That emotional connection, filled with shared goals and unfinished business, finally found closure on this memorable night, as Kohli and his team lifted the trophy, a moment jointly owned by legends past and present.
