It has been a long wait for Kohli, who played in the first IPL game for RCB in April 2008.
Then aged 19, he was bowled for one, but he would go on to hit 8,661 runs at an average of 39.54, with eight hundreds and 63 half-centuries.
He tasted defeat in his side’s three final appearances, losing to Deccan Chargers in 2009, Chennai Super Kings in 2011 and to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, while he also captained the franchise between 2013 and 2021.
“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team,” Kohli said afterwards.
“It’s been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, my prime and my experience. I’ve tried to win this every season when I come, give it everything I have.
“I was overcome with emotion as soon as the last ball was bowled.”
Kohli has been in strong form in recent years, averaging over 50 in the past three seasons, including 54.75 in this campaign, and now gets to lift the IPL trophy after 267 matches in the competition.
It is his latest triumph in the past 12 months, after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy.
Kohli added: “This is far more special than winning it with anyone else, because my heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. As I said, this is the team I’m going to play for ’til the last day I play the IPL.
“As sportsmen we grind for something, and this is a very high-intensity, high-quality tournament. I’m someone that wants to win the big tournaments, the big moments. This one was missing and tonight I’m going to sleep like a baby.”