Published: Jun 04, 2025, 05:01 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 04, 2025, 06:18 PM (IST)
The last time Virat Kohli played a final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India has to suffer a defeat against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Virat Kohli sat quietly in a corner, trying to process the events that had unfolded on the field. But this time, there was no heartbreak. Returning to the same venue for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final against the Punjab Kings, Kohli played a crucial role in leading his team to victory, finally ending an agonizing 18-year wait for their maiden IPL title.
As Kohli returned to the dressing following their thrilling victory against Punjab Kings. Kohli referred a corner in the dressing room as a ‘Heartbreak corner’. Kohli said that this corner was not a ‘heartbreak corner’ anymore.
Kohli subsequently delivered an engaging speech in the dressing room, emphasizing the effective leadership of skipper Rajat Patidar, who initially joined the franchise as an injury replacement. Additionally, in the concluding matches, Mayank Agarwal significantly contributed to the team’s success, despite stepping in as a substitute for Devdutt Padikkal.
“What a turnaround. From injury replacement to IPL-winning captain. Bloody Hell. Very difficult to explain, man” Kohli said while referring to Patidar before throwing one of his bats twoards him
“I think I am going to feel the real side of it when we get to Bengaluru tomorrow, and celebrate it with the city and the fans who have stood with us through thick and thin. So I am just relieved. Full bunch of match winners. People stepping up at different stages and putting their hands up to get the job done for the team. To have that hunger and confidence in them. This guy, local lad [points to Mayank Agarwal] comes in place of Dev [dutt Padikkal]. You could see they wear that badge with pride… of RCB. That can never go away from a Bengaluru boy and yeah, this guy was special.”
Mayank subsequently reminded Kohli that he still needs to travel to Bengaluru, where the local fans are eager to express their support for him, having remained devoted to the franchise for 18 years, even in the absence of significant achievements.
“Sorry to cut you off. You playing for Bengaluru for 18 years, I can tell you one thing. You are as much a Bengaluru boy as anybody else. I am sure you have an idea but tomorrow and the coming days, you will really experience the love of this city,” Agarwal told Virat.
“I am just glad that I could do it with RCB,” Kohli concluded.
