Kohli reflects on 18-year wait as RCB begin life as defending champions

For the first time, Royal Challengers Bengaluru begin an IPL season as defending champions. They had come close in 2009, 2011 and 2016, but fell short at the final step each time. Through all those heartbreaks, one constant remained—Virat Kohli.

When it finally happened, it felt less like a celebration and more like a release.

"It was a very special night for all of us at RCB. I have been here since day one," Kohli said ahead of the 2026 IPL season, revisiting the winning moments of 2025.

RCB went into the final against Punjab Kings with belief, but without getting carried away.

"When we reached the finals, I felt a sense of calm confidence. But you also understand it's not going to be a cakewalk. It's a Final and there is another team who has played really well to get there."

The past disappointments could have weighed them down, but Kohli felt it had the opposite effect.

"Given the history of the near misses… I think that gave us extra motivation to hold our nerve. Because the league has become so much more competitive, we must have played really good cricket to get to the finals. It's not a fluke; it's not by chance. We have beaten some really good teams, and we are an amazing team."

As the match moved towards its conclusion, Kohli said the occasion became deeply personal.

"All in all, it was an amazing night for all of us. It was quite surreal for me honestly, quite unbelievable when it was all unfolding in the end. So many things flashed in front of your eyes. The whole journey for 18 years. All the ups and downs… It's like the accumulation of all of that is unfolding in front of you… It's a very difficult thing to explain. It's a thing to experience."

Even when the result was almost certain, the nerves did not completely settle.

"Especially the last over where you know the game is sealed. Hoping that Josh [Hazlewood] doesn't bowl a no ball which he never does… So, knowing that the game is beyond them and then to wait for those last three balls was probably the toughest part of the night," recalled Kohli.