Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as the defending champions, having finally ended their long wait for a title. After suffering heartbreak in finals during 2009, 2011, and 2016, RCB achieved glory in IPL 2025, marking a historic moment for the franchise.

Former captain Virat Kohli, who had been part of all those near-misses, played a key role in ending the 17-year trophy drought. The long-awaited triumph came after RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final, finally lifting their maiden title. They are set to kick off IPL 2026 in the opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Kohli had emphasised that the team was confident but also fully aware of the quality of the opposition and the pressure that comes with high-stakes matches.

"It was a very special night for all of us at RCB. I have been here since day one and so has Ramesh Mane [Team Masseur and Caretaker]. We are probably the oldest members of the RCB group," said Kohli as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"When we reached the finals, I felt a sense of calm confidence. But you also understand it's not going to be a cakewalk. It's a Final and there is another team who has played really well to get there. Obviously, they have also beaten a lot of good sides so they are also very confident of what they want to do,” he added.

The past disappointments could have weighed them down, but Kohli believed they instead strengthened the team’s resolve. Those near misses helped them stay composed in crucial moments. As the match approached its conclusion, Kohli admitted the occasion became deeply personal, with the result bringing back a flood of memories from his long journey with the franchise.

"Given the history of the near misses and the almost moments of the past where we reached the finals and we could not win. I think that gave us extra motivation to hold our nerve. Because the league has become so much more competitive, we must have played really good cricket to get to the finals. It's not a fluke; it's not by chance. We have beaten some really good teams, and we are an amazing team. Who have earned the right to be here on this day,” said Kohli.

"All in all, it was an amazing night for all of us. It was quite surreal for me honestly, quite unbelievable when it was all unfolding in the end. So many things flashed in front of your eyes. The whole journey for 18 years. All the ups and downs, all the good moments, bad moments. It's like the accumulation of all of that is unfolding in front of you and that is going to happen in the next ten minutes. It's a very difficult thing to explain. It's a thing to experience. And that experience I will never ever forget,” he added.

The veteran admitted that the final over, especially the wait for the last few balls, felt like the hardest part of the night. Kohli is the all-time leading run-scorer in the IPL, amassing 8661 runs in 267 matches at an average of 39.55.

"Especially the last over where you know the game is sealed. Hoping that Josh [Hazlewood] doesn't bowl a no ball which he never does. There was quite confidence but still as I said, you are hoping for the perfect result. So, knowing that the game is beyond them and then to wait for those last three balls was probably the toughest part of the night," Kohli said.