TimesofIndia.com at Ahmedabad: Virat Kohli has never known how to hide his emotions. He wears them proudly, on his sleeve and often on his face. On Sunday night, under the lights of a packed Narendra Modi Stadium, there wasn’t a single moment when the occasion wasn’t fully invested.It was impossible to miss Kohli’s intensity even before he bowled the first ball. As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players gathered in a huddle, Kohli dropped to his knees, surrounded by teammates, delivering a moving pep talk in his trademark style. Every gesture has a purpose. Every word was believed. From that moment, he looked like a person. He celebrated every Gujarat Titans (GT) wicket as if it was a moment of victory. Each dot ball drew a roar. Each breakthrough brought clenched fists and unfiltered passion. And with more than 90,000 fans chanting “Kohli, Kohli”, the man who has soared his career to the grandest stages once again embraced the spotlight.Chasing a modest target of 156 in the IPL final, RCB got out of the blocks before losing a few quick wickets. It was a moment that has haunted the franchise in the past. It was also a moment that could reopen old scars for Kohli, who has experienced more than his share of heartbreaks in IPL finals.This time, however, he wasn’t ready to let the story slip.Calm amid the chaos, Kohli chased with the assurance of a man who had lived every possible cricket script. The game’s greatest chess master took control, guiding RCB to their second consecutive IPL title with an unbeaten innings of 75 runs. It was fitting that the winning six also came from Kohli’s willow.RCB defeated GT by five wickets. RCB were so dominant that when they won the match there were 20 balls to bowl. After MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, Rajat Patidar became only the third captain to win back-to-back IPL titles.Earlier, RCB’s pace battery produced a clinical bowling performance to restrict GT to 155 for 8.After opting to bowl, Rajat Patidar’s side executed their plans to the letter, hitting tight lengths consistently and denying the hosts any momentum. Shibman Gill (10) and Sai Sudharsan (12) showed early spark but fell quickly to Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar respectively.Nishant Sindhu failed to promote at No.3 as Rasukh Salam Dar removed him for 20, while Jos Buttler never looked comfortable during his 23-ball 19 and Krunal Pandya outfoxed him with all his experience.RCB’s grip never loosened. Hazlewood trapped Arshad Khan with another short ball, while Rashikh picked the bowlers with 3 for 27. Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood took two wickets each.Washington Sundar’s unbeaten 50 off 37 balls gave GT something to defend, but 155 for 8 looked below par as RCB chased a second consecutive IPL title.Over the years, RCB was often praised by Kohli. He owned one of cricket’s biggest superstars but struggled to create an identity that lived up to his relentless standards. The season started with hope and anticipation before ending when it mattered most. Even after Kohli stepped down as captain, the pattern remained largely unchanged.In 2025 everything changed.RCB took a bold decision by appointing Rajat Patidar as the captain and ended their 18-year wait for the IPL trophy. Sometimes a title changes a team. Sometimes it opens up a belief that cannot be taught. Sometimes, a team needs a title to unleash the beast within. That seems to have happened with Rajat Patidar-led RCB.Barring the defeat in Guwahati, where Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a brilliant masterclass, RCB have been virtually unstoppable this season. They attacked with the bat, hunted in a pack with the ball and had a flash that few teams could match.Without a doubt, they have been the most complete side in the competition. Every base appears to be covered. Each player understands his role. And fittingly, he is now playing with the same aggression, conviction and fearlessness that defined the franchise’s greatest ever cricketer.Virat Kohli may no longer be the captain of RCB, but his spirit runs through the team. On the biggest night of the season, it was impossible not to watch.Brief Score: GT: 155/8: (Washington Sundar 50*, Nishant Sindhu 20, Rashid Salam 3/27) lost to RCB: 161/5 in 18 overs (Virat Kohli 75*, Venkatesh Air 32, Rashid Khan 2/25).
