His moist eyes melted hearts just after Josh Hazlewood had bowled his second delivery of the 20th over and when an emotionally choked Virat Kohli kissed the Motera turf, there could have been million teary eyed fans who had waited for this day just like their hero. IPL turned an adult this season and Kohli’s stature just got bigger.
“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It has been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, prime and experience. I’ve tried to win it every season, gave it everything I have,” said Kohli. Just after the final, the exhausted Kohli hugged his wife Anushka and one could gauge that the couple were coming to terms that it has finally happened. “To finally have it is an unbelievable feeling. Never thought this day would come, I was overcome with emotion after the last ball was bowled. Gave each and every ounce of my energy and it’s an amazing feeling,” he said.
Commentator Matthew Hayden asked Kohli where he rates his first IPL Trophy, having won the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. “Well, it’s right up there, if I have to be honest. As I said, I’ve given everything that I had for the last 18 years. I’ve stayed loyal to this team, no matter what. I’ve had moments where I thought otherwise, but I stuck to this team. I stood behind them, they stood behind me. And I always dreamt of winning it with them. And this is far more special than winning it with anyone else because my heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. And as I said, this is the team I’m going to play for till the last day that I play the IPL,” he responded.
A sportsman’s career is a short one, unlike normal professions and Kohli wants to make everyday on the field count. “Well, I have an opportunity to play this game for not many years. So there is an end date to our career, as you know. And by the time that I hang up my boots, I want to sit at home and say I gave it everything I had. So I look for ways to improve,” he said.
‘Still five levels below Test cricket’
The Test cricket devotee in Kohli didn’t lose the perspective that the format played in whites and played with a red ball still ranks five notches above the T20 version of the game. Having announced his retirement from Test cricket last month, Kohli was ecstatic, but said nothing is more satisfying than excelling in the traditional format. “You know, this moment is right up there with the best moments I’ve had in my career. But it still marks five levels under Test cricket. That’s how much I value and love Test cricket,” Kohli told the broadcaster moments after the six-run win over Punjab Kings in the IPL final.
Kohli deserved it the most: Patidar
When IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar got a chance to say "Ee Sala Cup Namdu” (this year the cup is ours) after 18 years, the fans roared. But when he said that “Virat Kohli deserved it more than anyone else”, the cheers were deafening as the legend grinned from ear to ear. “It is really special for me, for Virat Kohli, and all the fans. Those who have supported for years, they all deserve it. It’s a great opportunity for me and a great learning for me to captain Kohli,” Patidar said.
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