Virat Kohli said calm minds, clear plans and trust in the squad helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru defend their IPL title successfully.
Kohli played a match winning knock of 75 not out in the final. He guided RCB to a successful chase and their second straight IPL crown. The veteran batter was named Player of the Final and said the moment was something he had imagined for years.
“It’s stuff that you dream of. I’ve thought of this moment many times, that once when we win the IPL, I should be standing there hitting the winning runs. Tonight, it was possible.”
RCB beat Gujarat Titans in the final. Kohli said the team focused on its own strengths rather than worrying about the opposition.
“We just felt really relaxed coming to the game today and really confident about how we wanted to go about our game and and what kind of team we have. That gives you confidence to just see any kind of situation through,” he said.
The title win completed another strong IPL season for Kohli. He scored the fastest fifty of his IPL career in the final, reaching the landmark in just 25 balls. Playing his 19th season in the tournament, Kohli said the modern T20 game has pushed him to adapt.
“You see these super young players pushing you all the time and really asking you to change your game and up the ante,” Kohli said. “It’s an exciting situation because it gives you something to improve on, something to work towards. I just take a lot of pride in getting better and just trying to figure out areas where I can improve.”
“So, yeah, it was just the demands of today’s modern game where you need to get those 20, 30 extra runs. I had to kind of change my mindset, not my game so much, to hit the shots I hit, but more often and [to] take the bowlers on, probably the best bowlers in the opposition. That was always my target.”
Kohli also stressed the value of experience in pressure situations.
“We have a lot of mature players in the group, a lot of experienced guys. Experience always shines through in difficult situations,” he said. “You can have all the excitement and slam bang in the world, but come the big situations, you need the big boys to step up.”
The former RCB captain revealed that the plan for the chase was discussed early with opening partner Venkatesh Iyer.
“I just told him one thing – we need to kill the game in the Powerplay. And he said, ‘Yeah, let’s go’, ” Kohli said. “There was total clarity. We just wanted to strike and take the bowlers on because we knew in a big game, if you lose a couple of wickets, things can get tricky.”
Kohli praised Iyer for his role at the top of the order after being promoted late in the season.
“His intent was probably the difference-maker for us in the last three or four games.”
He also said RCB’s success came from contributions across the squad rather than depending on one player.
“Even tonight – I know it’s a chase and they probably look to get me out early – but I was very confident that even if I get out early, we have a champion team that’s going to finish the job.”
Kohli credited the team management for building a balanced squad and said the belief within the group made the difference.
“When you have that kind of confidence, you can go out there and really take the bowlers on. And that’s credit to the management, the way they stacked up the squad, the talent of the players, the belief that the players have shown – that’s why we stand here as champions back-to-back [seasons], which is a special feat.”
