Rajat Patidar Celebrates IPL Victory: A Tribute to Virat Kohli

In a thrilling conclusion to the IPL season, Rajat Patidar, captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, celebrated their long-awaited victory while paying tribute to Virat Kohli. After 18 years of striving for success, Patidar's heartfelt remarks resonated with fans, emphasizing Kohli's deserving nature of the win. The match showcased impressive performances, particularly from Krunal Pandya, whose bowling was pivotal. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings' captain Shreyas Iyer reflected on the fearless spirit of his young team, expressing optimism for the next season. Read on to explore the highlights and future aspirations of these teams.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 4, 2025, 10:32 IST

A Historic Moment for RCB

Ahmedabad: After enduring 18 years of setbacks, Rajat Patidar, the captain of the newly crowned IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, finally declared, 'Ee Sala Cup Namdu' (this year the cup is ours), eliciting a thunderous response from fans.

His statement that 'Virat Kohli deserves it more than anyone else' sent the crowd into a frenzy, with the cricketing icon beaming with pride.

"This moment is incredibly special for me, for Virat, and for all the loyal fans. They have supported us through thick and thin, and they truly deserve this victory. Captaining alongside Kohli has been a remarkable experience; he is deserving of this triumph more than anyone else," Patidar expressed following the final match on Tuesday.

Patidar assessed that a score of 190 was adequate on a pitch that played slower than expected.

"After the Qualifier, we were optimistic about our chances. I believe 190 was a solid score on this surface, which was a bit sluggish. Watching our bowlers execute their strategies was impressive," he noted.

He commended Player of the Match Krunal Pandya for his pivotal performance of 2/17, which proved crucial in the game.

"Krunal is a key wicket-taker. I always rely on him when we need breakthroughs. Suyash and the pace bowlers have been exceptional throughout the season, and Shepherd's key wicket tonight was vital," he added.

Looking Ahead to Next Season

Meanwhile, a 'disheartened' Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged that the fearless attitude of the new players has been a significant advantage for the team, which aims to return stronger next season in pursuit of their first IPL title.

"I am proud of every member of our squad; many young players experienced their first season. Their fearless approach was remarkable. We still have work to do, and our goal is to secure the title next year. The way we approached each match was positive, and they have gained invaluable experience to build upon," Iyer stated.

He also believed that a score below 200 was reasonable on this pitch.

"They bowled exceptionally well. Krunal's performance was outstanding and proved to be the turning point in the match."