I've given RCB my youth, prime and experience; always dreamt of winning IPL with them: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli was down on his haunches with his head placed on the turf after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the Indian Premier League (IPL) final by six runs against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3. The 36-year-old was in tears after ending an 18-year wait to call himself an IPL winner.

Kohli scored an important 43 off 35 balls in the first innings after Shreyas Iyer invited RCB to bat first on Tuesday. The former India captain anchored the innings nicely, with all the other batters chipping in with important cameos. RCB posted 190/9, which looked about 15-20 runs short.

However, RCB bowlers bowled to their plans and fielded superbly to restrict Punjab to 184/7 in 20 overs. Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, finishing with figures of 2/17 in his four overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also took a couple of wickets, conceding 38 runs in his four-over spell. Yash Dayal also bowled economically, going for just 18 runs and taking one wicket in three overs.

After RCB's emotional win, Matthew Hayden caught up with Kohli and asked him about his feelings. The former RCB captain dedicated the win to the fans and said that he had always dreamt of winning the title with the Bengaluru-based franchise. Kohli also revealed the secret behind his energy and passion in every season and ended by urging young players to take the Test format seriously and try to perform well in that to earn respect in the cricket fraternity.

Feelings after ending 18-year wait for the elusive IPL trophy

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. 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. What ABD has done for the franchise is tremendous, told him 'this win is as much yours as it is ours. I want you to celebrate with us'. He's been the POTM most times in the franchise despite being retired for four years. Tells you the impact he's had on the league, team and me. He deserves to be on the podium, lifting the cup.

Where does this win rank on the scale of monumental moments?

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. 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 because you know, as a sportsman, when 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. And tonight, I'm going to sleep like a baby.

What keeps driving that energy and that emotion, and that passion season after season?

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's blessed me with that perspective, with the talent. And then you find different ways to help the team. This management, this group of players has been outstanding, to be honest. They've gotten the right kind of players, match winners, people who take the game on. In the auction, a lot of people questioned our tactics. But by day two, we were very happy with what we had. And we had a lot of confidence in the strength of this group. And I want to give a big shout out to this team. It would not have been possible without each and every one in the squad, in the playing XI, the management backing the players, keeping us positive throughout when the going got tough. So it's everyone's. I don't want to stand here and talk about myself. There's a lot that's spoken about me already. This win is for Bangalore. And it's for each and every one of the players, and the families, and the whole management as well.

Importance of the Test format

You know, this moment is right up there with the best moments I've had in my career. But it still marks five levels under Test cricket. That's how much I value Test cricket. And that's how much I love Test cricket. So I would just urge the youngsters coming through, to treat that format with respect. Because if you perform in Test cricket, you walk around anywhere in the world, people look you in the eye and shake your hand and say, well done, you played the game really well. So if you want to earn respect in World cricket all over, take up Test cricket, give your heart and soul to it. And when you walk out with wonders the other side, then you gain respect to the cricket world with legends like yourself. Melting our hearts on the field and off the field. (4/4)