"I think RCB have just started...": IPL chairman Dhumal after franchise seals back-to-back title wins
Ahmedabad, June 1
Following the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Indian Premier League title win, the IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said that the franchise has "just started" and expressed that their star batter Virat Kohli does not need any trophies, since he is "one himself".
RCB continued their fine run in the Indian franchise cricket as they have made it back-to-back IPL title wins, something which five-time champions CSK and MI had done in the past. This is their fourth Indian franchise cricket title, including two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles. This year, they hold a rare distinction of having won both the IPL and WPL titles.
Speaking to the media, Saikia said, "I think they have (RCB) just started. That's what they said last year, that it's gonna be back-to-back, and they did it. The way they played throughout the season was phenomenal. Gujarat Titans played amazingly well as a team. They had an amazing bowling side, but it was not their day."
On Virat, he said, "Virat does not need any trophies. He is a trophy himself."
Virat finished the season with 675 runs in 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a career-best strike rate of 165.84, with a century and five fifties, with the best score of 105*. He emerged as the fourth-highest run-getter in the tournament.
On Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old prodigy,, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, he said, "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has an amazing talent. I wish him all the very best. I hope he continues doing good things for his country."
On a parting note, Dhumal said that the next year will mark IPL's 20th year and "it is going to be special".
Put to bat first by RCB, GT scored just 155/8 in 20 overs, with Washington Sundar (50* in 37 balls, with five fours) and Nishant Sindhu (20 in 18 balls, with three fours) being the only ones to cross the 20-run mark. Rasikh Dar Salam (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29) and Josh Hazlewood (2/37) took wickets regularly.
RCB started well with a 62-run stand between Venkatesh Iyer (32 in 16 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and Virat Kohli. GT showed some fight, reducing RCB to 132/5 at one point, but Virat (75* in 42 balls, with nine fours and three sixes) guided RCB to a win with two overs left.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm not an RCB fan, but I have to admit - they've built a formidable team. The way they've dominated both the IPL and WPL this season is impressive. That said, IPL chairman's comment about Virat being a "trophy himself" felt a bit over the top. Yes, he's an incredible batsman, but cricket is a team sport and trophies matter.
So happy for RCB! But I'm more excited about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi - a 15-year-old prodigy getting noticed at the IPL level! 🇮🇳 This is what makes the tournament special - unearthing young talent. Remember, MS Dhoni was once an unknown from small-town India. Hope Vaibhav gets proper guidance and doesn't burn out under pressure.
As someone who follows IPL casually, I'm genuinely impressed by RCB's consistency. They've learned from past mistakes - no more over-reliance on just Kohli and AB de Villiers. The recruitment of players like Venkatesh Iyer and Washington Sundar shows good scouting. However, I feel for GT fans - they played well but just couldn't handle the pressure in the final.
Wah! RCB fans must be on cloud nine! ☁️ Back-to-back titles is no joke. But I have to say - the real hero is the scouting team. Finding talent like Rasikh Dar from Jammu & Kashmir, giving Nishant Sindhu chances - this is how you build a dynasty. IPL at 20 years next season - time flies! Remember when it started in 2008? What a journey! 🏏
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