Player Interviews: Did Virat Kohli Take a Dig at Rohit Sharma by Calling Him an ‘Impact Player’?

Tears streamed down his face as he held the coveted trophy, a moment etched in cricket history. In an emotional post-match interview, Kohli poured his heart out, reflecting on the journey, the doubters, and the unwavering support of fans. Let’s take a look at how the post-match interview unfolded.

Why Does Virat Kohli Not Want to Play as an ‘Impact Player’?

Just after winning the IPL 2025 title, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their 17-year curse, narrowly beating Punjab Kings by six runs in a heart-pounding final in Ahmedabad. For Virat Kohli, who’s been RCB’s cornerstone since 2008, the moment was overwhelming. Tears flowed as the final over confirmed RCB’s first-ever IPL trophy, a victory that felt like a personal milestone for the star batter who’s stayed loyal to one franchise his entire career. He said:

Well, I have an opportunity to play this game for not many years. So there is an end date to our career, as you know. And by the time that I hang up my boots, I want to sit at home and say I gave it everything I had. So I look for ways to improve. I can’t play as an impact player, I want to feel 20 overs and make an impact in the field. That’s the kind of player I have been. And God’s blessed me with that perspective, with the talent. And then you find different ways to help the team. This management, this group of players has been outstanding, to be honest. They’ve got the right kind of players, match winners, people who take the game on. In the auction, a lot of people questioned our tactics.

Speaking to Matthew Hayden after the match, Kohli shared his raw emotions and deep connection to RCB. As the only player to stick with a single IPL team, he vowed to give his all until his last game. He said passionately, taking a dig at the “Impact Player” rule as Kohli insisted he’d never settle for a part-time role. Kohli’s words painted a picture of a cricketer driven by heart and hustle. He spoke about his career’s limited time, determined to retire knowing he left nothing on the table. He added:

But by day two, we were very happy with what we had. And we had a lot of confidence in the strength of this group. And I want to give a big shout out to this team. It would not have been possible without each and every one in the squad, in the playing XI, the management backing the players, keeping us positive throughout when the going got tough. So it’s everyone’s. I don’t want to stand here and talk about myself. There’s a lot that’s spoken about me already. This win is for Bangalore. And it’s for each and every one of the players, and the families, and the whole management as well.

For him, the IPL win wasn’t just about the trophy — it was about proving his all-in approach, year after year, through the highs and lows. His commitment to RCB and its fans shone brightly, showing why he’s more than a player; he’s the soul of the team. This victory, hard-earned and long-awaited, will echo in the hearts of RCB supporters forever.

Why Does Virat Kohli Considers Test Cricket the Pinnacle of Cricket?

Being the torchbearer for Test cricket, Virat Kohli has always placed the longest format on a pedestal, and his words after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 triumph only echoed that love. Fresh off the thrill of winning his first IPL trophy, Kohli was elated but quick to remind everyone that Test cricket holds a special, unmatched place in his heart. Even the joy of ending RCB’s 17-year title drought couldn’t eclipse the reverence he has for the red-ball game. He said:

You know, this moment is right up there with the best moments I’ve had in my career. But it still marks five levels under 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, to treat that format with respect. Because if you perform in Test cricket, you walk around anywhere in the world, people look you in the eye and shake your hand and say, well done, you played the game really well.

In a heartfelt chat after the match, Kohli, who retired from Test cricket just a month ago, didn’t hold back. For him, Test cricket is the ultimate proving ground, where grit, patience, and skill are tested like nowhere else. He urged young players to cherish the format, emphasizing that earning respect in Test cricket carries a weight that T20 or ODI success simply can’t match. As India’s most successful Test captain, he steered the team to unforgettable victories, including a groundbreaking series win in Australia in 2020-21. He further added:

So if you want to earn respect in World cricket all over, take up Test cricket, give your heart and soul to it. And when you walk out with wonders on the other side, then you gain respect to the cricket world with legends like yourself. Melting our hearts on the field and off the field.

With over 9,200 runs in 123 Tests, averaging close to 47, and boasting 30 centuries, Kohli’s bat did the talking across all conditions. His leadership and relentless drive kept India’s Test team thriving, even as T20 leagues dominated the spotlight. He became a beacon for Test cricket’s enduring value, inspiring a generation to embrace its challenges. For Kohli, Test cricket isn’t just a format — it’s where legends carve their names. No matter the glitz of IPL glory, his heart remains with the game that demands everything.

Did Virat Kohli Stay with RCB Just Because of the Loyal Fans?

Just after Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clinched their first-ever IPL title in 2021, defeating Chennai Super Kings in a nail-biting final, Virat Kohli stood as the embodiment of loyalty and heart. For 18 years, he poured his soul into RCB, enduring countless heartaches and near-misses without ever jumping ship. His unwavering belief in the franchise, fueled by a deep love for Bengaluru and its fans, finally paid off with a trophy that felt like a personal triumph after nearly two decades of grit. On this, he said:

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, and 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’. He’s been the POTM most times in the franchise despite being retired for four years. Tells you the impact he’s had on the league, team and me. He deserves to be on the podium, lifting the cup.

As tears streamed down his face, Kohli spoke from the heart in the post-match glow. Despite moments of doubt and tempting offers to leave, Kohli stayed, driven by a dream to lift the IPL trophy with RCB, the team that’s been his home since 2008. Kohli’s connection to RCB runs deeper than cricket. It’s about the city, the fans, and the shared journey through highs and lows. He could’ve chased titles elsewhere, but for him, RCB was family. He further stated that:

Well, it’s right up there, if I have to be honest. As I said, I’ve given everything that I had for the last 18 years. I’ve stayed loyal to this team, no matter what. I’ve had moments where I thought otherwise, but I stuck to this team. I stood behind them, they stood behind me. And I always dreamt of winning it with them. And this is far more special than winning it with anyone else because my heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. And as I said, this is the team I’m going to play for till the last day that I play the IPL.

His words painted a picture of a man who saw the franchise as more than a team — it was a cause worth fighting for, no matter how long it took. He also gave a heartfelt shoutout to AB de Villiers, his longtime teammate and friend, saying the victory belonged to him too. Kohli praised RCB’s management for their faith in the squad, marvelling at how the team grew into champions. Kohli’s story with RCB is one of relentless commitment and redemption.