After 18 long years of waiting, hoping, and enduring highs and lows, RCB finally brought home their first-ever IPL trophy. The moment was filled with raw emotion, perhaps the most moving sight was Virat Kohli in tears, holding the trophy he had dreamed of for nearly two decades. Season 18, jersey No. 18, and an 18-year wait made the victory even sweeter. Dinesh Karthik, on winning the IPL final, reflected the overwhelming joy within the team, describing it as a moment of pride shared by every player and loyal fan.
Here’s a glimpse of how the RCB players’ Statements and emotional responses to their unforgettable IPL victory:
Dinesh Karthik Stated, “Massive. This is a team that waited 18 years, played a lot of good cricket, and finally had its moment. But this win belongs to every fan who has waited patiently. The joy was overwhelming everyone cried their hearts out. Even some of our support staff, who have been with the team through these years, shared that emotion. From the start, we believed we were a strong team with many bases covered.
We didn’t always play the way we wanted, but things eventually fell in our favor. It’s great to see the boys stepping up at different moments. Today was a high-pressure game. The pitch wasn’t easy to bat on, but we put up a solid performance. In the final, it’s not just about the pitch; it’s about the emotion and the fire to win. We had plenty of that today. A lot of credit goes to our support staff. It’s a cliché, but Andy Flower pushed us and made us better. He helped me grow as a batting coach. This is my first time in the role. He had a plan and a vision from the start, and all the pieces finally came together. It’s a proud moment for everyone involved.”
Jitesh Sharma: “Honestly, I can’t even express how I feel right now. I’m so happy for Virat Kohli. He’s waited 18 years for this. As a human, I understand the patience and desire behind such a long wait. When you play for others, something extraordinary happens. You get inspired. Virat is standing right behind me now, and he still can’t believe it.”
Krunal Pandya (Player of the Match) told in an interview, “When we batted first, I was sitting out and discussing with the batters. I realized that slower bowling is more effective on this pitch’s tricky, but it works. As a bowler in this format, sometimes you need guts to bowl slower because the margin of error is small. I backed myself today, varying my pace and bowling slower, which helped create chances.
Taking wickets in the middle overs was crucial, and I knew that being brave enough to bowl slower and take a couple of wickets, the game would tilt in our favor. The pitch also improved in the second innings. When I joined RCB, I told them I love winning trophies. After three and a half months, I’m glad I could deliver on that. Promisee. It feels great, 10 years, 4 IPL trophies. I even joked with Hardik that the Pandya household might have nine trophies in 11 years!”
Josh Hazlewood: “I think 190 was a strong total. The wicket was a bit unpredictable but improved as the night went on. Our bowlers kept their nerve and delivered when it mattered most. It’s a great result for the team. This victory likely means everything to Virat Kohli. A few of us come and go, but he’s been here from the start, fighting for 18 seasons. Seeing that kind of emotion is special. Coming back after the IPL interruption was tough, but playing in pressure situations only makes you better. I’m glad to be part of this franchise’s journey, it’s been amazing.”
Phil Salt: “It’s an unbelievable feeling right now. Honestly, I don’t even know where I am. I haven’t had much sleep, but I’m so proud. I feel like I’ve got a lucky charm now, and my brother is proud too. Every round we played, we brought our best. The franchise has a great culture, everyone comes back and supports each other, whether it’s AB or Chris. Early in the competition, we faced some tough games, but the crowd’s support kept us going. We won more games than we expected because of that energy.”
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: “We thought 180 would be a good score to defend, but we ended up with nearly 190, ten runs more than we planned. Krunal Pandya was the key to changing the pace in the middle overs. He spent hours working on his bowling and adapting his pace, which made a huge difference. We were careful not to overuse the slower balls and mixed our options well. That strategic bowling helped us hold on and win the game.”
To sum up, it wasn’t just about lifting the trophy; it symbolized years of determination, loyalty, and unshakable belief. From Kohli’s emotional celebration to Krunal Pandya’s clutch performance, the team rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Dinesh Karthik, on winning the IPL final, expressed the deep emotions behind the scenes, emphasizing how much this win meant to both players and fans. After nearly two decades of waiting, RCB finally earned their moment of glory, carving their name into IPL history.
