Virat Kohli engaged in an emotional chat with Matthew Hayden in a post-match interview in the final of Indian Premier League 2025.
Kohli is the only player to have played for one team in all 18 seasons in the Indian Premier League. He was seen getting emotional and in tears when Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a 6-run win over Punjab Kings in the final of IPL 2025.
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“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It’s been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, my prime and my experience. I’ve tried to win this every season when I come, give it everything I have. To have this moment is an unbelievable feeling” Kohli said after the game.
“I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotion as soon as the last ball was bowled. This means so much to me. I’ve given each and every ounce of my energy to this team. To have finally won the IPL is an amazing feeling.”
“I’ve given everything I’ve 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. I’ve always dreamt of winning it with them. This is far more special than winning it with anyone else, because my heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. As I said, this is the team I’m going to play for till the last day I play the IPL. So, this one is absolutely right up there.”
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“As sportsmen we grind for something, and this is a very high-intensity, high-quality tournament which is of great value in world cricket today. And I’m someone that wants to win the big tournaments, the big moments, this one was missing and tonight I’m going to sleep like a baby.”
Kohli also spoke of his quest to improve and continue to find ways to stay motivated.
“I’ve an opportunity to play this game for not many years. So, there’s an end date to our career as you know. By the time I hang up our boots, I can sit at home and say I gave it everything I had. I look for ways to improve.”
Kohli praised the management of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for finalizing a strong squad for this IPL season and their involvement to face challenges during the season.
“This management and group of players have been outstanding to be honest. They’ve got in the right kind of players, people who take the game on. In the auction, a lot of people questioned our tactics. But by the end of day two, we were very happy with what we had.”
“We had a lot of confidence in the strength of this group. And I want to give a big shout out to this team. It wouldn’t have been possible without each and everyone: in the squad, in the playing XI, the management backing the players, keeping us positive throughout when the going got tough. So, it’s everyone’s. I don’t want to sit here, and talk about myself. There’s a lot that’s been spoken about me already. This win is for Bangalore. It’s for each and everyone of the players, their families and the management.”
Speaking on Test cricket, Kohli expressed his passion for the longest format and urged young cricketers to give more focus for playing Test cricket.
“This moment [the IPL win] is right up there with the best moments I’ve had in my career, but it’s still marks five levels under Test cricket. That’s how much I value Test cricket. That’s how much I love Test cricket. I would just urge youngsters coming through to treat that format with respect.”
“If you perform in Test cricket, you walk around anywhere in the world, people look you in the eye, shake your hand and say well done, you played the game really well. If you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket, give your heart and soul to it and earn the respect from legends.”
