Kohli shares the joy of IPL victory with de Villiers and Gayle as both former RCB stalwarts were present for the Final.
Kohli shares glory with de Villiers and Gayle as RCB finally lifted the IPL for the first time.
The appearance of two former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) talismans, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, added significance to Virat Kohli’s IPL 2025 victory. The three, who were known as the RCB’s holy trinity when they played together, were overcome with emotion as they celebrated their first IPL victory by defeating the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in Ahmedabad.
The three performed a new rendition of the classic RCB chant as they gathered for a brief conversation with the announcers. From the phrase “Ee sala cup namde,” which means “this time the cup will be ours,” to “Ee sala, cup namdu!” which means “this time this cup is ours,”
“What he’s done for the franchise has been absolutely tremendous,” Kohli said of de Villiers, his RCB colleague for a decade, with whom he had scripted many memorable batting performances. “I told him that before the game as well that this one is as much yours as it is ours and I want you to celebrate with us when we lift that trophy at the end of the night. Because what he’s done for RCB is so very special.
“He’s got the maximum number of Man-of-the-Match awards and he’s been retired for four years now. That tells you the impact he’s had on this team, on this league, for me as a person, our friendship.
“What he means for the people of Bangalore, to this team, to this franchise is something I cannot describe in words, so I said he deserves to be on that podium, lifting that cup with all of us tonight.”
Josh Hazlewood started the final over with 28 runs to defend, and De Villiers waited just beyond the boundary, ready to start his post-match reporting responsibilities. According to Kohli, the victory moment was made even more memorable by witnessing de Villiers standing there.
“Oh man, you know what was more special was having you right at the boundary line in the last two overs,” Kohli told de Villiers. “And I told him, ‘I’m going to go, it’s too much to take’. And when Hoff [Hazlewood] bowled that second ball and it didn’t go for six, they needed five sixes. I was gone. I don’t know how I held back the tears for the last three balls of the innings. But you know how it feels. And he [Gayle] knows how it feels.”
Gayle hugged Kohli, speaking of the disbelief that an 18-year jinx had finally been broken. “Eighteen years, man,” Gayle said with a big smile. “What a lucky number, man. You know what? I’m happy for you, man. And I am for you. And I’m happy for the franchise.”