Former RCB captain Virat Kohli was tearful and emotional after the Rajat Patidar-led side defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final and won the title for the first time ever.

Just after the final, the exhausted Kohli hugged his wife, Anushka, and one could gauge that the couple were coming to terms with the fact that it had finally happened.

"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, prime, and experience. I've tried to win it every season and given it everything I have. 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 every ounce of my energy, and it's an amazing feeling,” Virat Kohli told official broadcasters.

During the last seconds, Kohli paid a respectful homage to one of the greatest RCB players, his best friend AB de Villiers, who was standing at the boundary.

Kohli said, "What ABD has done for the franchise is tremendous, and told him, This win is as much yours as it is ours. I want you to celebrate with us. He's been the 'Player of the Match' most times in the franchise despite being retired for four years. Tells you the impact he's had on the league, team, and me. He deserves to be on the podium, lifting the Cup."

After winning the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy, commentator Matthew Hayden questioned him about his thoughts on his maiden IPL 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 in the IPL. So this one is absolutely right up there,” Kohli answered.

Unlike other professions, a sportsman's career is brief; thus, Kohli wants every game to matter. He also revealed that he cannot play as an impact player for RCB to extend his career.

"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.

I can't play as an impact player; I want to field 20 overs and make an impact in the field. That's the kind of player I have been. And God blessed me with that perspective, with the talent. And then you find different ways to help the team," the star batter added.

(PTI inputs)