Virat Kohli Dedicates IPL Victory to AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle
RCB's Historic IPL Triumph
Virat Kohli, who thrilled fans worldwide by leading the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their first IPL championship, has given supporters another reason to celebrate. He dedicated this monumental victory to franchise legends AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.
RCB made history by defeating Punjab Kings in the final match of the 18th season of the lucrative league.
De Villiers and Gayle, who watched the match from the sidelines, joined in the celebration of this significant achievement with their long-time friend and teammate, Virat.
Reflecting on their past, an emotional Kohli recalled the days when they played together at their peak. He noted that in 2016, they narrowly missed out on the title.
"I spent my prime years with them. We put in so much effort to win, coming close several times. We were a strong team, but we could never clinch the title. We dedicated our best years to this franchise," Kohli shared with broadcasters after the match.
Bengaluru set the stage for their victory by scoring 190 runs for 9 wickets. The RCB bowlers worked cohesively, taking wickets consistently and securing a six-run win to claim the prestigious trophy.
For a teary-eyed Kohli, having his former teammates present made the moment "10 times more special." He emphasized that the trophy belonged not only to him but also to Gayle and de Villiers.
"This feels 10 times more special because these two are here with me. Honestly, this victory is as much theirs as it is mine. When they come to Bengaluru, the fans adore them. They recognize the dedication these two have shown to the team throughout their careers here. This trophy is equally theirs," he added.
De Villiers, a former South African star, ranks as RCB's second-highest run-scorer, amassing 4,522 runs in 157 matches with an average of 41.10, including two centuries and 37 half-centuries, at a strike rate of 158.33.
From 2011 to 2017, Gayle shattered records, scoring 3,163 runs in 85 matches with an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 152.73, including five centuries and 19 fifties, with a top score of 175*.