On June 03 (Tuesday), Virat Kohli wasn’t able to control his tears after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their 18-year title drought under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy.
The 36-year-old’s dream to lift the highly coveted trophy came true when his team triumphed over Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in a thrilling final match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Kohli, during the post-match conversation with the former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden, revealed that he didn’t want to see himself as an impact player in the upcoming editions of the IPL.
He hinted to his fans that he would continue participating in the league in a unique way by revealing his plans and experiences.
Kohli’s Opinion on Playing as an Impact Player in the Upcoming IPL Seasons
As Virat Kohli wanted to give his best till the completion phase of his career, he wanted to be involved throughout the match and has the fitness to tackle challenges. The RCB’s opening batsman is clear with his stance as he refrained from seeing himself as an impact player. Here is what the veteran cricketer said:
“See! There is a valuable chance for me to play this game, perhaps not for many years. As a cricketer, there is a completion date to our career. And by the time I call it a day, I prefer to stay at home and declare that I have given my best.
So, I am keen to find new ways to improve my skills. I cannot limit myself as an impact player. Rather, I want to give my presence on the field for 20 overs and create an impact with my fielding skills. This is the kind of player I have been for several years. And with God’s blessings, I have that talent, and you need to find unique ways to make noteworthy contributions for your team,” Kohli said.
Kohli About His Journey With RCB: ‘I Have Given My Best to the Team in All Seasons’
Having played for only one team in all 18 seasons, Virat Kohli gave an emotional speech on RCB’s success to achieve the maiden championship title:
“Yes! This victory belongs to fans as much as our team deserves it. Although it has been 18 long years, I have given my best, my youthful days, my strengths, and my experience. I tried my best to give everything I have in every season I come. This is one such moment that is an unbelievable feeling.
Never thought this day would come, as I was overwhelmed with emotion after the last ball was bowled. This triumph for RCB means so much to me. To this team, I have given every drop of energy, and winning this IPL trophy is an incredible feeling.
I stayed loyal to this team for the past 18 years, irrespective of this result. There were moments when I thought of alternatives, but I decided to remain dedicated to this team. As I always dreamed of winning the trophy, my team and I have supported each other,” Virat said.
Did Virat Kohli Mock Rohit Sharma Speaking About the Impact Player Rule?
Although several fans were happy about Virat Kohli’s statement, a few of them believed that he indirectly mocked the former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma, who is one of the high-profile cricketers in IPL 2025.
In reality, Kohli’s statement points out his desire to play actively in every aspect of the game. But social media has instantly made a comparison with Rohit, who is indeed the league’s second-highest run scorer.
Despite leading MI to five title wins and boasting huge leadership experience, the 38-year-old was most often been used as an impact player by the franchise, particularly in the recently concluded season.
Hitman was spotted on the field for MI occasionally. But for most of his team’s fielding innings, he watched the game’s progress from the dugout.
However, India’s ODI captain still received support from a certain set of fans, saying that the MI management forced him to play as an impact player. Also, he was substituted even at the Wankhede Stadium that has a stand with his name to honor his remarkable achievements.
Virat Kohli’s 18 Years of IPL Career with RCB
Ranked as the IPL’s leading run-scorer, Virat Kohli is the only player who have scored 9,000+ for any T20 team, which is none other than RCB. He represented the single franchise for 18 years and this shows his loyalty and dedication is unmatched.
Virat’s illustrious IPL career boasts a staggering 8,861 runs in 267 matches at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 132.86, including 8 hundreds and 63 fifties. Especially, in IPL 2025, Kohli was the third-highest run getter and leading run scorer for his team, having scored 657 runs in 15 innings, averaging at 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, which includes 8 half-centuries to his name.