'Watching Virat Kohli cry was emotional': Krunal Pandya opens up

NEW DELHI: The 18-year hold was yet over, and erstwhile it ended, emotions overflowed crossed each Royal Challengers Bengaluru player, particularly Virat Kohli, who has been with the franchise since the inception of the league backmost successful 2008.

Tears of joy, kissing the trophy, holding it precocious with pride, and continuous celebrations marked the scenes arsenic RCB lifted their historical IPL 2025 title.Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first-ever IPL rubric aft 18 years, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs successful the last astatine the Narendra Modi Stadium successful Ahmedabad.RCB all-rounder Krunal Pandya reflected connected the rubric win, calling it 1 of the astir affectional moments of his vocation and dedicating the triumph to the fans and erstwhile skipper Kohli.Speaking connected JioStar’s “The Krunal Pandya Experience”, the all-rounder said the long-awaited trophy meant the astir to Kohli, who struggled to clasp backmost his emotions aft the win."The ones who deserved it the astir are Virat Kohli and the RCB fans. Virat has been an integral portion of RCB from the archetypal season. So, to triumph it and spot him get affectional was special. Watching him outcry was an affectional infinitesimal for everyone," Krunal said.

"The emotion radical person for RCB is incredible. That day, I said connected the mic that immoderate happens, we indispensable triumph the trophy for the fans," helium added.Krunal said fulfilling that committedness aft 18 years of waiting made the triumph adjacent much meaningful."I americium gladsome I said it and that we were capable to present successful the final. The fans deserved this trophy much than anybody else, and obviously, Virat arsenic well," helium said."Playing for the state is fig 1 for me, but winning for RCB aft 18 years and having my champion play portion contributing good has to beryllium 1 of my apical moments," Krunal said.Krunal besides spoke astir his improvement arsenic a cricketer implicit the years."I person changed implicit a play of time, for the better. As you spell done the journey, you learn. A batch of recognition goes to my parents and the upbringing they gave me. But arsenic a quality being, who I am, has remained the same. I emotion cricket, inactive arsenic excited and passionate to play. I person ever been a household man. I emotion my family, kids, and my wife, who has played an integral part," the RCB all-rounder said.Pandya, who was bought by RCB for Rs 5.75 crore astatine the IPL 2025 Mega Auction successful Jeddah, was retained by RCB for the 2026 IPL season.In IPL 2026, RCB are presently placed 2nd connected the points array with 10 points.