Virat Kohli dedicates RCB's maiden IPL trophy to AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, says 'It is as much theirs as mine'

Virat Kohli has not only thrilled fans around the world by leading the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their first-ever IPL trophy, but he also brought smiles to many by dedicating this historic win to franchise legends AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.

In a thrilling final, RCB toppled Punjab Kings, securing their spot in the annals of cricket history. The dynamic duo of Gayle and de Villiers, who watched the nail-biting match from the sidelines, shared in the joy of this monumental victory with their long-time friend and teammate, Virat.

With emotions running high, Virat couldn’t hold back the nostalgia as he reflected on their prime years together.

"I have spent my prime years with them. I know how much we tried to win this. We were so close a couple of times, and we were such a good team; we had the explosiveness in our team, but we could never cross the line. We gave our prime years to this franchise," he told broadcasters post-match, a hint of emotion in his voice.

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For the teary-eyed Kohli, the presence of his former comrades made the moment "10 times more special."

He said that the trophy belonged not just to him but also to Gayle and de Villiers. "I promise you this feels 10 times more special because these two are standing next to me. Honestly, it is as much theirs as it is mine. When you come to Bengaluru, it is not just me; when they come, people love them and they go absolutely berserk. They know, and they appreciate that they have given their heart and soul to this team till the time they played here. These two guys have given their everything, so it is equally theirs, too," he added.

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The victory was sweet, with RCB posting 190/9 and the bowlers taking wickets at crucial moments, sealing a thrilling six-run win.

Both de Villiers and Gayle have left their marks on the franchise, with de Villiers amassing 4,522 runs in 157 matches and Gayle smashing 3,163 runs in just 85 matches, including a remarkable 175.

Together, they created unforgettable memories and records during their time with RCB, making this triumph a celebration of their legacy as well.