Virat Kohli Leads RCB to First IPL Title After 18-Year Wait

Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title after an 18-year wait, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in a tense final. The victory, marked by a stellar bowling effort including Krunal Pandya's key wickets and Josh Hazlewood's final over defense, was a moment of immense emotional release for Kohli, who has dedicated his entire IPL career to RCB. Kohli expressed profound gratitude for his loyal fans and credited his wife Anushka Sharma for her unwavering support throughout his journey. Despite Punjab Kings' strong season under Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, they fell short in their first final appearance in over a decade. Kohli, who announced his retirement from Test cricket during the IPL season, emphasized his passion for the longest format and reflected on the significance of this IPL win in his career. This triumph was widely celebrated as a historic moment for both Kohli and the franchise, symbolizing perseverance and team unity.