'Feels extra special': Virat Kohli's emotional social media post after RCB crowned back-to-back IPL champions

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'Feels extra special': Virat Kohli's emotional social media post after RCB crowned back-to-back IPL champions originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Virat Kohli posted a heartfelt message days after RCB successfully defended their IPL title.
  • He scored 676 runs in IPL 2026, including an unbeaten 75 in the final.
  • A hamstring injury rules him out of the Afghanistan ODIs; the England series is also in doubt.

Virat Kohli calls RCB 'home' after back-to-back IPL titles

Virat Kohli wrote a heart-warming message on social media after Royal Challengers Bengaluru were crowned back-to-back IPL champions following their victory over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31. 

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He has been with RCB since the very beginning of the IPL, through years of near-misses and painful exits that would have driven most players to seek a fresh start elsewhere. 

He watched the franchise go through cycles of heartbreak before finally winning the title in 2025, and then winning it again in 2026 under the leadership of Rajat Patidar. Hence, RCB is like 'home' for him. 

MORE: 'An RCB fan!’: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks silence on emotional chat with 'elder brother' Virat Kohli after IPL final

"Started the season with belief. Ended with back-to-back titles," he wrote. 

"This team lived every emotion together. The highs, the pressure, the hurdles, and the unwavering support. It feels extra special because… this place is HOME! @RCBTweets."

One of the most revealing details about Kohli's mentality came from what he told his teammates before the very first practice session of IPL 2026. 

"Let's not waste even a minute of any session that we are a part of. So switch on now," he said. 

"We come to the ground, we must give our 120 per cent for these two and a half months. Defend that title."

Virat Kohli still delivering at 37

At an age when many professionals start thinking about stepping back, Kohli delivered another exceptional season. 

He scored 676 runs in IPL 2026, finishing as one of the tournament's leading run-scorers. In the final against Gujarat Titans, with the title on the line, he walked out and played the defining knock of the evening, as he scored an unbeaten 75 from 42 balls, studded with nine fours and three sixes, to seal RCB's win and keep his reputation as one of cricket's great chasers very much intact.

"I never dreamt of something like this ever. I wanted to play for India, I wanted to play for a long time, but whatever is unfolded, whatever has happened, there's no choice," he said.

And if there's anything that has remained the same for Virat in the last two decades, "I never get late for practice."

MORE: India squad for Afghanistan Test and ODI series 2026: Full team lists

BCCI/Creimas

What next for Virat Kohli?

Virat will miss India's upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan with a hamstring injury after chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed his absence at a press conference on June 6. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement in the squad.

MORE: Will Kohli and Rohit play vs Afghanistan? Latest Ro-Ko injury update

"It's just less than a week since he injured himself in the IPL final. Don't know the timelines yet, looks like he might be fit for England ODIs. Not a definitive squad, don't have a timeline from the physio yet," he said.

There have been reports which mention that surgery is not required, but the rehabilitation will be handled carefully and will take place at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

A six-week recovery window has been mentioned, which puts his participation in the subsequent England ODI series in doubt. 

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