Will Virat Kohli announce his IPL retirement? He opens up

As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a six-run win over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in IPL 2025 Final to bag the title for the first time in 18 years, Virat Kohli has opened up on his emotions.

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The former RCB skipper Kohli has revealed that he has given the franchise his youth, prime, and experience, and never thought of experiencing a day like this. Moreover, he also rated the IPL title win right up there.

“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, gave it everything I have,” Kohli said on Star Sports.

“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 each and every ounce of my energy and it’s an amazing feeling,” he added.

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“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,” he stated.

“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 the IPL. So this one is absolutely right up there,” he continued.

“As a sportsman, you grind for something, and this is a very high intensity, high quality tournament, which is of great value in world cricket today. And I’m someone that wants to win the big tournaments, the big moments, and this one was missing,” Kohli said.

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Furthermore, Kohli added that he doesn’t want to contribute to the game as an impact player and wants to make an impact on the field instead. Before concluding his speech, Kohli confirmed that he would give a few more years for the franchise before calling it quits.

“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 feel 20 overs and make an impact in the field. That’s the kind of player I have been. And God has blessed me with that perspective, with talent. And then you find different ways to help the team,” he concluded.

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