Category: Cricket

Haven’t yet decided on No. 4, Bumrah’s workload in England Tests: Gautam Gambhir

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Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Thursday that no final decision has been made yet on who will fill the crucial No. 4 batting position for India, nor on which three Test matches pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah will feature in during the upcoming series against England. Gambhir and newly appointed captain Shubman Gill spoke at a press conference ahead of the team’s departure to England. “It’s always difficult to replace someone like Jasprit Bumrah. But we have enough quality. I have said this before, including during the Champions Trophy, that when he is not there, it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up,” Gambhir said. After announcing the Indian squad for the England Test series, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Ajit Agarkar provided an update on Bumrah’s availability. He confirmed that Bumrah will not be available for all five Tests in the upcoming tour of England due to workload management concerns. Bumrah’s participation in all five Tests has been under question, especially after he stepped aside from the race for Test captaincy citing workload concerns. “We haven’t taken a call on which three games he will play. We will discuss with him and then decide depending on how the Test series goes. The result of the series is very important, and he knows that. We will take the call after we get there,” he added. Replacing Virat Kohli at No. 4 in India’s Test batting line-up is arguably the biggest challenge since Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement. Kohli leaves behind a formidable legacy-9230 Test runs, 30 Test hundreds, and over a decade of unmatched consistency. However, India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill, did not reveal any hints about the batting order for the first Test in Leeds on June 20, explaining that the team will undergo a 10-day camp in London where final decisions on the lineup will be made. “We haven’t really decided on the combination. We still have a little bit of time. We are playing the intra-squad match and a 10-day camp in England. We will decide the squad when we go there,” Shubman Gill said when asked about India’s batting order in England. ENGLAND VS INDIA, TEST SERIES SCHEDULE IN 2025 1st Test: June 20-24 – Headingley, Leeds 2nd Test: July 2-6 – Edgbaston, Birmingham 3rd Test: July 10-14 – Lord’s, London 4thTest: July 23-27 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester 5th Test: July 31-August 4 – The Kia Oval, London Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: Jun 5, 2025 Source link

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Ponting reacts to Virat Kohli breaking down in tears during last over: ‘CSK, MI have won IPL a few times. It’s not easy’

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Jun 05, 2025 12:32 PM IST Virat Kohli ended a long wait for IPL title victory on Tuesday night, with RCB defeating Punjab Kings by 6 runs in the final. Ricky Ponting, head coach of Punjab Kings and one of the most respected voices in world cricket, offered a moving perspective on Virat Kohli’s emotional reaction following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s long-awaited IPL title win. The legendary Australian said Kohli’s tears were a testament to the emotional and personal toll of chasing the elusive trophy for 18 seasons, and how much it means to players. Virat Kohli in tears after RCB won IPL 2025(PTI) Kohli, overwhelmed by emotion as RCB sealed a six-run win over Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, dropped to his knees in tears. The image captured the end of a wait that spanned the entire history of the IPL; Kohli is the only player to have represented only one franchise since the first season of the tournament in 2008. “You can see in his eyes in that last over, he was shedding a tear, that’s what it means to players, that’s what it means to everyone,” Ponting told reporters after the final. “Chennai (Super Kings) have won it a few times, Mumbai (Indians) have won it a few times, but it’s not an easy tournament to win — it is as simple as that — and you have to think long and hard about that. It’s not easy to win this thing.” Ponting on Kohli’s ‘Test’ remark Ponting, who has played and won ICC World Cups and led dominant Australian teams across formats, used his own career to back Kohli’s honest admission that IPL glory still doesn’t match up to the pride of representing one’s country in Test cricket. Kohli stated in his post-match reaction that despite the IPL victory being one of the top-most moments of his career, it stands “five marks below Test cricket.” Ponting echoed Kohli’s reverence for the red-ball game. “I’m probably one of the biggest purists of the game still involved. Whether I’m coaching or commentating, my first love is Test match cricket, always will be.” “But I totally understand what he means… this is as close as I can get to playing a Test match again.” News / Cricket News / Ponting reacts to Virat Kohli breaking down in tears during last over: ‘CSK, MI have won IPL a few times. It’s not easy’ See Less Source link

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From tears to triumph: Virat Kohli’s emotional IPL coronation after 18-year wait | Cricket News

Posted on By Kabir Khan No Comments on From tears to triumph: Virat Kohli’s emotional IPL coronation after 18-year wait | Cricket News

Virat Kohli holds the IPL trophy. (Pic credit: IPL) TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: After Josh Hazlewood bowled the second dot of the final over, Virat Kohli’s face appeared on the big screen at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He was seen wiping tears from his eyes. The moment the last ball was bowled, he fell to his knees, and the emotions flowed.He was mobbed by his current RCB teammates. Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, his former RCB mates with whom he lost the final in 2016, were there to give him warm hugs. His biggest supporter, wife Anushka Sharma, was there to live the moment. In another emotional video, he jumps and hugs former India coach Ravi Shastri.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Right from the start of the day, it felt like it was written in the stars. There was a sea of Jersey No. 18 entering the stadium. The chants of “Virat, Virat” and “RCB, RCB” were easily heard from afar. The crowd was one-sided. They cheered for every RCB boundary, six, and wicket — but fell silent when Kohli was dismissed.Who’s that IPL player?When he collapsed onto the ground after the final ball, the first person to reach him was a cameraman — who probably had only one job: to capture his emotions.Virat generally wears his heart on his sleeve. The usual post-wicket roar was there, but after winning the IPL — the trophy he had chased for 18 years — something was missing. It was a subdued celebration from Kohli. Perhaps because he never truly believed this day would come. He even admitted as much. ‘A particularly special feeling’: Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win “I never thought this day would come,” he told broadcasters after the match.“It has been 18 long years. I have given this team my youth, my prime, and my experience. I have tried to win this every season that I have played, and I have given everything I have. To finally have this moment come — it’s an unbelievable feeling.”The past few years hadn’t been kind to Virat. He was dogged by poor form, self-doubt, criticism, and mental health struggles. He relinquished captaincy in all three formats — including the IPL. And it seemed like Kohli was fading away, like so many sporting icons do.But he fought his demons. He produced one of the greatest T20I knocks against Pakistan at the MCG in the 2022 T20 World Cup. While T20s were never considered his forte, 50-over cricket has always been his domain — where he has reigned supreme. He was the leading run-scorer in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where, heartbreakingly, the dream was shattered at this very venue.Yet again, he picked himself up. He was asked to open alongside Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. He struggled through most of the tournament, only to score a stunning 76 in the final against South Africa in Barbados. He then added another feather to his cap by winning the 2025 Champions Trophy.Kohli shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from Test cricket — the format he loved the most.Even after winning the IPL after so many years, he didn’t consider it anywhere near his achievements in Test cricket.“This moment is right up there with the best moments I’ve had in my career, but it still ranks five levels below Test cricket. That’s how much I love and value the format,” he told Matthew Hayden after the match.“I would just urge youngsters coming through to treat that format with respect. If you perform in Test cricket, you can walk around anywhere in the world, and people will look you in the eye, shake your hand, and say, ‘Well done, you played the game really well.’ If you want to earn respect globally, take up Test cricket, give it your heart and soul — and when you walk out the other side, you’ll have earned the respect of the cricketing world and legends like yourself.” ‘Daring, Dynamic, Different’: Ponting hails PBKS young guns despite final loss Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting echoed Kohli’s sentiments.“I’m probably one of the biggest purists still involved in the game, whether I’m coaching or commentating. My first love is Test cricket — always has been,” he told reporters.“I totally understand what Virat means. He’s had a magnificent Test career, and an even better white-ball career that’s still ongoing. I’m not sure how much of a celebrator he is, but I reckon he’ll be celebrating long and hard tonight — and over the next few days,” said Ponting.Now, with the 18-year wait finally over and the monkey off RCB’s back, the question is: Will we now see a dominant RCB in years to come? And with Virat Kohli still scoring runs for fun, it’s a dangerous sign for all other teams.So, fasten your seatbelts — because as Virat said, his heart and soul are with Bangalore. That clearly means he’s not done yet, and the all-time great is coming for more. Source link

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Krunal Pandya spills beans about conversation with brother Hardik after RCBs maiden IPL triumph

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Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], May 4 (ANI): Krunal Pandya, who was named Player of the Match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 18th edition final against Punjab Kings, revealed that he called his brother Hardik after the game and cited that the Pandya household has nine IPL trophies in 11 years. Krunal, who Bengaluru acquired for ₹5.75 crore, unleashed every weapon from his fully-loaded arsenal in the high-stakes final and left the spectators spellbound and returning with figures of 2/17 in his four-over spell. He single-handedly broke the backbone of Punjab’s attempt to hunt down the 191-run target and steered Bengaluru to a six-run triumph and RCB’s first IPL trophy victory. While receiving the Player of the Match award, Krunal spilt the beans about the conversations he had with his brother Hardik and reminded him about the number of IPL titles they have had in the last decade. “When I joined RCB, I said that I loved winning trophies. After three and a half months, glad I was able to fulfil what I said on Day 1. Been pretty good – 10 years, 4 IPL trophies. I also told Hardik on the phone that there will be 9 IPL trophies in the Pandya household in 11 years,” Krunal said in the post-match presentation. In his memorable outing, Krunal returned with the priceless scalps of Prabhsimran Singh (26) and Josh Inglis (39) to derail Punjab’s attempts to chase the target. The trick behind Krunal’s success was deceiving the batters by varying his pace and having the “guts” to execute it because it leaves the bowler with no margin of error. “When we batted in the first innings, I was sitting outside and chatting with the batters. I realised the slower you bowl, the better. But in this format, as a bowler, you need guts to do that because the margin of error is small,” he said. “I just backed myself and thought that if I’m able to vary my pace and keep it more on the slower side, I’ll create chances rather than just coming and firing it in. What has been my biggest strength is learning what the situation requires. I’ve always backed my gut and instinct,” he awith 25 scalps in 15 matches at an average of 19.52, best figures of 4/41. dded. (ANI) Source link

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru wins IPL title after 18 years

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From being a three-time runner-up, RCB finally scaled the peak to lay claim on the IPL trophy. Seventeen editions of yearning and heartbreak turned into unadulterated joy for the massive fanbase as RCB shut out Punjab Kings by six runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Tuesday (June 3, 2025).  Virat Kohli, the owner of a dazzling array of titles and milestones, added the one highlight missing in the list. Rajat Patidar, in his first season as RCB captain, achieved what many of his exalted predecessors — Kohli, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, to name a few — could not attain. In front of a packed house, filled predominantly by RCB supporters, the franchise choked a nervy PBKS.  Photo: ATUL YADAV Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli holds the championship trophy as captain Rajat Patidar and others celebrate during the presentation ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Photo: PTI Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Krunal Pandya holds the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 championship trophy during the team’s victory lap at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Photo: AFP Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli (L) celebrates with his former teammate AB de Villiers after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, 2025. Photo: AFP Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli (centre L) celebrates along with his wife and actress Anushka Sharma (centre R) after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025. Photo: VIJAY SONEJI Royal Challengers Bangaluru Captain Rajat Patidar lifts the Trophy as they beat Punjab Kings by 6 runs during The TATA IPL 2025 Cricket Match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangaluru at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, May 03, 2025. Photo: AFP Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli (C), along with his former teammates AB de Villiers (centre R) and Chris Gayle (centre L), celebrates with the trophy after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025. Photo: Vijay Soneji RCB’s players celebrate the victory over Punjab Kings by 6 runs during the final of The TATA IPL 2025 on Tuesday, June 03, 2025. Published – June 04, 2025 03:53 am IST Source link

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Ee Sala Cup Namdu: Bengaluru celebrates like never before after RCB wins IPL 2025

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Eighteen years of heartbreak. Eighteen years of hope. And on the night of June 3, 2025, it all came rushing out like a dam burst. The moment Josh Hazlewood finished delivering the final ball of the match – sealing Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first-ever IPL title – the city of Bengaluru erupted. Not with chaos, but with unfiltered, joyous madness. The sky lit up with multi-coloured crackers, streets transformed into rivers of red and gold, and the chant that had echoed in hopeful tones for over a decade – Ee Sala Cup Namde – was finally declared with certainty: Ee Sala Cup Namdu. IPL Final: Report | Highlights Till Tuesday night, the fevered post-title scenes that cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Jaipur had witnessed remained alien to Bengaluru. For years, despite boasting superstars and star-studded squads, RCB’s trophy cabinet lay bare. But that changed on a historic summer evening when Rajat Patidar’s band of warriors delivered what even Virat Kohli, the franchise’s beating heart, had once feared might elude them – an IPL crown. #WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinches its first #IPL title; a fan says, “We literally waited for 18 years for this one Cup and we won… This is not just a Cup for us.” pic.twitter.com/PetBgIdbXw— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 From Indiranagar to Koramangala, from MG Road to Brigade Road, the Garden City turned into a vibrant carnival. People poured out of pubs, restaurants, homes, and offices – waving RCB flags, bursting fireworks, singing, crying, hugging, and screaming until their throats ran dry. It was not Diwali. It was not New Year’s Eve. It was something deeper. It was personal. “The city is waiting. My god. I’m thinking about them. Imagine what the fans must be feeling now, poor ones. Someone sent me a video – the entire city is filled with fireworks. The whole city. It’s very special. I can’t express my feelings. I have to experience it,” an overwhelmed Virat Kohli said, his voice cracking as he took in visuals of his city celebrating. And celebrate they did. Outside pubs and cafes in hotspots like Church Street and Jayanagar, hundreds had huddled around giant screens, clutching onto hope, clenching fists. And when victory was sealed – emotions erupted. Strangers embraced like long-lost family, crackers soared into the skies, and the anthem of generations – Ee Sala Cup Namde! – roared across the skyline. “It’s not Diwali, it’s RCB Diwas in Bengaluru!” read one social media post. Another fan shared, “Brigade Road has never looked this alive – 18 years of hope, belief and passion have finally paid off!” What made it even more special was the way every corner of the city joined the celebration. From building terraces flashing celebratory lights to narrow alleys inside apartment complexes erupting in impromptu dance parties – the city breathed RCB. Entire roads were blocked not in protest, but in dance. Horns blared not in frustration, but in rhythm. Children, parents, grandparents – all united in red, all crying happy tears. The people had waited too long. They had stood by the franchise when it failed. They had defended the team when memes mocked it. They had believed. On Tuesday, belief turned to bliss. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah summed up the collective emotion as he wrote on X: “From electrifying performances to unshakable spirit, this triumph has ignited the pride of Karnataka and thrilled fans across the world.” And it wasn’t just dignitaries or celebrities – the soul of the celebration belonged to the common fan. Youngsters on bikes waved flags with uncontainable pride. Families in hatchbacks honked their way through traffic just to chant RCB! RCB! on the roads. Some stood for hours outside bars just to glimpse the final overs, others climbed walls to find a screen – they braved the evening chill, the crowded streets, and the late hours. And they were rewarded with history. They will now gear up to welcome their champions on Wednesday, and you can bet the reception will be nothing short of spectacular. Bengaluru has turned green this monsoon, but for a few precious days, it will bleed red – the colour of pride, belief, and finally, of victory. Because this time, the Cup is theirs. Ee Sala Cup Namdu. Finally. Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: Jun 4, 2025 Source link

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Ecstatic Kohli revels in first IPL title, albeit below Test highs

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Virat Kohli said on Tuesday he had given his “youth and prime” to land one of the best moments of his career as Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured him a first-ever Indian Premier League T20 title at the 18th time of asking. The 36-year-old Kohli, however, confessed that the six-run win over Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad, sweet as it was, ranked “five levels below Test cricket”. The former India captain, who announced his retirement from Test cricket last month, top-scored with 43 as Bengaluru posted 190-9 in the final. It was not his most fluent innings, but it was vital for RCB as their bowlers then restricted Punjab to 184-7 with a crowd of more than 91,000 erupting in joy for their superstar. A teary-eyed Kohli, who has played in all 18 of RCB’s campaigns including the three previous finals that they lost, dropped to the ground before being hugged by his teammates. “I’ve given this team my youth, my prime, my experience. I gave it everything I have. I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotion as soon as the last ball was bowled,” said Kohli before launching into an impassioned defence of the oldest and longest format of the game. “This moment is right up there with the best moments in my career. But it still ranks five levels below 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… if you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket, give your heart and soul to it.” Punjab head coach Ricky Ponting said: “I totally understand what he (Kohli) means”. Two-time World Cup winner Kohli has now walked away from two international formats after he gave up T20s following India’s World Cup triumph last year. One of the all-time greats across all formats of the game, Kohli has always been the perfect poster boy of the five-day game with his prolific run-scoring and on-field passion in whites. ‘King Kohli’ ended his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85. In the IPL, Kohli joined Bengaluru at the start of lucrative league in 2008 and stuck with them after the disappointment of losing side the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016. Kohli remained a key player for his team this season with 657 runs including eight half-centuries in 15 innings, often playing the anchor after opening the batting. “Tonight I’ll sleep like a baby,” said Kohli, who hinted that a full retirement may not be far off. “I have an opportunity to play this game for not many years, there’s an end-date to our career. “And by the time I hang up my boots, I want to sit at home and say I gave it everything I had.” Source link

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IPL 2025: Virat Kohli promises special RCB victory parade in Bengaluru on June 4

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru will paint the city red when they return home on Wednesday, 4 June, to celebrate their landmark Indian Premier League victory, Virat Kohli said moments after clinching the elusive title in Ahmedabad. Kohli grew emotional as he reflected on his relationship with the fans, revealing that a special treat had been lined up for RCB supporters on Wednesday. RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the IPL 2025 final, bringing an end to their 18-year-long wait for the trophy. Kohli broke down in tears even before the final ball was bowled at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Overcome by emotion, he sank to the ground and celebrated the long-awaited triumph with his teammates. Shortly after, Kohli was joined by his former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle as he paid tribute to the leaders who had helped shape the franchise through the years. He shared a heartfelt embrace with De Villiers before reuniting with his wife, Anushka Sharma, at the venue. IPL 2025 Final, RCB vs PBKS: Highlights Speaking to broadcasters JioStar after the historic win, Kohli said he was eagerly looking forward to celebrating with RCB fans in Bengaluru. He expressed awe after watching videos of the fireworks and jubilant scenes that erupted across the city following the win. “It’s going to be something special,” Kohli said, inviting De Villiers and Gayle to be part of the celebrations with fans in Bengaluru. Chris Gayle revealed that a victory parade would be held in Bengaluru on Wednesday. “The city is waiting. My god. I’m thinking about them. Imagine what the fans must be feeling now, poor ones. Someone sent me a video – the entire city is filled with fireworks. The whole city. It’s very special. I can’t express my feelings. I have to experience it,” Kohli added. NEVER SEEN LOYALTY LIKE THAT: KOHLI Kohli also reflected on his enduring bond with the fans, crediting their loyalty as a key reason he stayed with RCB for 18 years. He remains the only player in IPL history to represent the same franchise since the league’s inception in 2008. “I said it straight away – this is as much for the fans as it is for us. These guys have stuck with RCB through horrible seasons and great ones. They’ve turned up every single time at the Chinnaswamy. I’ve never seen loyalty like that. That’s what made me never waver from RCB. That’s why this is so special,” he said. Kohli acknowledged that both the team and their fans had been subjected to trolling over the years, but said those tough moments only served to strengthen their bond. “I’ve taken a lot of stress. I’ve heard all sorts of things: ‘RCB this, RCB that’. It’s all part of the journey. A lot of people have trolled us. A lot of people have made fun of us. All of it happened. But it made us stronger. It brought us closer – as a team, and as a franchise. The relationship our fans have with RCB, that golden connection, was forged through all these setbacks. Tonight, I will sleep peacefully. It’s not going to be one of those nights of endless partying. Just peace,” he added. Kohli top-scored for RCB with a composed 43 in their total of 190. Krunal Pandya led a collective bowling effort that saw RCB successfully defend the total by six runs. RCB became the eighth different team to win the IPL title. Their success in 2025 was underscored by yet another brilliant season from Kohli, who finished with 657 runs in 15 matches — a testament to his enduring class and commitment. Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don’t miss a moment! Published By: Akshay Ramesh Published On: Jun 4, 2025 Source link

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Nikhil Kamath praises ‘Bangalore Boy’ Virat Kohli after RCB’s thrilling IPL 2025 win | Trending

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Jun 04, 2025 01:36 AM IST Nikhil Kamath hailed Kohli as the new ‘Bangalore Boy’ after RCB won their first IPL trophy, ending an 18-year wait. Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath praised Virat Kohli as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their maiden IPL trophy after nearly two decades. Honouring the ace cricketer from Delhi, Kamath said that after the win, Kohli became “the Bangalore Boy.” Nikhil Kamath congratulated RCB for its historic IPL win over Punjab Kings. (PTI, File) “Virat Kohli you are the #BangaloreBoy today. Congrats RCB,” he wrote in an Instagram story, along with a heart emoji. Check out the post here: Nikhil Kamath shared a congratulatory message for RCB and Virat Kohli.(Instagram/nikhilkamathcio) Kamath’s comments came just hours after the IPL team defeated Punjab Kings in a tightly contested match. With a few balls to go, an emotional Virat Kohli was seen fighting back tears of disbelief as an 18-year-old dream came close to becoming a reality, with every moment. As the last ball was bowled and RCB emerged victorious, the former captain sunk to his knees and cried on the ground as teammates surrounded him. ““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,” he said. Fans celebrate across India For RCB fans, celebrations began late in the night as their team finally lifted its first-ever IPL trophy. “Ee sala cup naamde” turned into reality as supporters flooded the streets with joy, and fireworks filled the skies. Many shared videos of fireworks and celebrations in Bengaluru, comparing the festivities to Diwali. In the days leading up to the final, fans were seen organising hawans, offering digital snans to RCB team photos and going to temples with photos of Virat Kohli, seeking blessings for a win. (Also read: Indian billionaire celebrates like a true fan as RCB ends title drought and lifts IPL 2025 trophy) News / Trending / Nikhil Kamath praises ‘Bangalore Boy’ Virat Kohli after RCB’s thrilling IPL 2025 win See Less Source link

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After IPL 2025 win, Krunal Pandya reveals telephone chat with brother Hardik Pandya | Cricket News

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Krunal Pandya (BCCI/IPL Photo) NEW DELHI: Krunal Pandya delivered a Player of the Match performance to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.Picked up by RCB for Rs 5.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Krunal brought out his full arsenal, refusing to let Punjab Kings gain control during their chase.His spell of 2 for 17, which included the crucial wickets of Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis, proved to be a game-changer and played a key role in RCB’s six-run victory.Krunal later revealed that he had set his intentions clearly with the franchise during his very first conversation — he was there to win trophies — and he made good on that promise with a match-defining performance.“When we batted, we realised the slower you bowl, the better it is. In this format, you need guts to do it. I just backed myself and thought I’d vary my pace and keep it on the slower side more often. My biggest strength has been to learn what the situation requires. I knew I had to be brave to get wickets tonight. Thought I’d do that by bowling slow. If you’d have bowled quick, it’d have been a good wicket. But if you mixed it up, it was tougher. Pitch actually got easier in the second innings,” said Krunal while collecting the POTM trophy.“Have enjoyed my time with RCB so far. I told them on day one that I like to win trophies. I told Hardik too that the Pandya household will have nine trophies in 11 years,” he added. Krunal now has four IPL titles to his name — three with Mumbai Indians — and Tuesday’s performance marked the second time he has won the Player of the Match award in an IPL final. The first came in 2017, when he scored 47 off 38 balls to help Mumbai Indians defeat the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant. Source link

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