Their long-cherished dream lastly realised, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, has now set his sights on claiming a second successive IPL title subsequent yr and urged his players to “get addicted to winning.”
RCB ended 18 years of wait to win an IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in an in depth closing right here on Tuesday (June 3, 2025).
During a stirring speech within the dressing room, Bobat additionally thanked RCB talisman Virat Kohli for giving his all for the group’s trigger because the league’s inaugural version in 2008.
‘Ee Sala Cup Namdu’: Royal Challengers Bengaluru raise maiden IPL title in 18 years
“When I think about what we have gone through this season, one word that comes to my mind is special. The way we played has been special, that inspired people,” he mentioned.
“We think about the game, we think about the aggressive nature of cricket we played, the environment that we created was really special. That’s what gives you these sorts of results,” Bobat mentioned in the course of the speech, the video of which was posted by RCB on X.
The 36-year-old Kohli, who retired from Test cricket final month, had been dreaming of profitable the title on the planet’s largest T20 league for the final 18 years.
“This is without question one of the most anticipated trophies in world sport and we think about what our fans have gone through, what Virat has gone through for all those years. This is a hugely anticipated trophy,” he mentioned.
“I know you don’t like to be singled out, Virat, but thank you for everything as a senior player and an icon player of this team. Everything you have put in over the last 18 years, you deserve this moment,” Bobat mentioned.
He requested his players to make profitable a behavior and is trying to declare back-to-back IPL titles, one thing that solely two groups have achieved to date — Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019, 2020).
“We need to enjoy tonight, we have to massively enjoy tonight but get time to look around you and like we have done through the season I am actually asking you to make sure we really get addicted to this feeling because this is the start.
“Not many teams have won back-to-back IPLs. It happened twice before, next we will have final in Bengaluru, and we go again. So, get addicted to the feeling tonight. That feeling drives the hunger for addiction to winning and winning that trophy,” he mentioned.
Bobat, who has beforehand served because the efficiency director for England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for 12 years, mentioned it was an entire group effort from RCB that culminated in a maiden title triumph.
“Everybody in this room should be incredibly proud of your team, those who played those who haven’t played, every member, staff, content team, everybody it’s a good team effort. I think the magnitude of what we have achieved we will feel in the next few days when we go and see Bengaluru go crazy tomorrow,” he mentioned.
“Everyone contributing, it was proper team effort. Everybody contributing to every department. Those away wins were the special things we ticked off, something that other teams haven’t done before,” Bobat mentioned.
“Getting in top 2 and then finish the job, so much to be proud of and also all the challenges we overcame. Think about the disruption when everybody went home, when he called back, everyone got back together. Restart, injuries all those things have challenged us to come together,” he added.
Bobat thanked all of the players, assist workers and group administration for his or her mixed effort on this fantastic journey.
“I want to thank all the players, those who haven’t played as well. As coaches we had a clear picture how we want to play our cricket, and we were committed to that fully.
“Some extraordinary commitments, Salty (Phil Salt) unbelievable you were. For you to do what you have done in the last few days after coming back in, top stuff mate we appreciate that. Hoff (Hazzlewood) as well,” he mentioned.
“Rajat (Patidar) well done as captain. We didn’t even need to win the toss today. Quick thank you for the staff, coaches, you have really worked hard especially science and medicine staff,” he added.
“Opps (Operations team) and logistics guys, well done, content team. It was a real team effort. Andy (Flower), I wanna thank you, you have proven again why the best head coach you are,” Bobat mentioned.
Published – June 04, 2025 03:37 pm IST
