Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli ran in to hug his long-time teammate AB de Villiers after winning IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. A video of the same surfaced on social media as an emotional Kohli reunited with the former South African captain to celebrate the win.
De Villiers was part of RCB from 2011 and 2021 and is the second-highest run-getter for the franchise despite not playing in the tournament since 2022. The former South African captain's tally of 4522 runs in 157 matches is the second-highest for the Royal Challengers, behind Kohli, who has amassed over 9000 runs. The pair also holds the record for the highest partnership by runs when they amassed 229 in 2016 against the Gujarat Lions.
He had also embraced Kohli before the match, seemingly wishing him good luck for the decider.
"Never thought this day would come" - Virat Kohli
Speaking to Matthew Hayden after the game, the Delhi-born cricketer said it belongs to the fans as much as anyone and said he wishes to celebrate it with AB de Villiers.
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'"
