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"I Was Emotional Just Like Virat Kohli" Vijay Mallya Opens Up On RCB Ending Trophy Drought

Anurag Dasgupta

Mallya on RCB's title drought ending [Source: @WorshipDhoni/x.com] Mallya on RCB's title drought ending [Source: @WorshipDhoni/x.com]

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru did the unthinkable on June 3 as they captured their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title by defeating the Punjab Kings in a close-fought contest. Since the inception of the league, RCB had never tasted victory in the finale, however, that all changed against PBKS as they triumphed over them in an emotional contest.

Mallya on his last over emotions in IPL finale

The United Spirits currently own RCB, however, the franchise was bought by Business tycoon, Vijay Mallya in 2008. Since then, the team owner has changed but RCB's popularity has grown over the years.

Now, after RCB's remarkable win, the former team owner, Vijay Mallya spoke to RevSportz, and talked about his feelings of winning the league after 18-long years. Mallya stated that he had the same emotions as Virat Kohli during the last  over of the game.

"Well, the minute the last ball was bowled, I guess my emotional reactions were similar to those of Virat. You know, I mean, when I founded RCB, when I bought the franchise and I think I was the first one to bid and buy a franchise and obviously Bangalore, I named the team Royal Challengers and obviously it was with the objective of clinching that IPL trophy. Did I think it would take 18 years? Absolutely not. 

We tried everything, different combinations of players, impact players, marquee players, but somehow that trophy eluded us. I remember very much season two in South Africa, we were in the finals. I think we were almost there but never got there. Every time in a big final, your team loses, it is a heartbreak. But after 17 successive heartbreaks over such a long period of time, I mean, that pent up energy, that pent up emotion of joy, obviously was overwhelming," Mallya said to RevSportz.

(Note: abstract taken from RevSportz interview).

RCB's emotional triumph after 18 years

This was their 4th IPL finale and in the first three attempts, RCB failed to deliver the goods and were under pressure heading into the clash Vs PBKS, who, themselves were playing in an IPL final for the first time in 11 years.

RCB posted 190 in their allotted 20 overs but their bowlers held their nerves and restricted PBKS to 184/7, thus winning the game by 6 runs. Their star player, Virat Kohli got emotional as the star had given 18 years to the franchise.