“You can see in his eyes”- PBKS coach Ricky Ponting on Virat Kohli’s tearful celebration after RCB won IPL 2025

Former Australia captain and Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting reflected on the emotional moment of Virat Kohli’s tearful celebration after RCB’s IPL 2025 triumph, highlighting how deeply the tournament resonates with every player, regardless of how many times their teams have won.

Kohli’s emotions ran high as tears welled up during the final moments of the IPL 2025 final, symbolizing the immense weight of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s long-awaited victory. After 17 years filled with heartbreak and near misses, RCB finally secured their maiden IPL title with a tense six-run win over Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.

https://x.com/IPL/status/1929961297585811669 

He was shedding a tear: Ricky Ponting on Virat Kohli’s emotional moment

Kohli’s gesture of dropping to his knees captured just how much this win meant to him and the franchise. Later, in a tearful embrace with his wife Anushka Sharma, the emotions poured out once again.

Reflecting on the moment, PBKS coach Ricky Ponting noted that it showed the true essence of what it means to be part of the game.

“You can see in his eyes in that last over, he was shedding a tear, that’s what it means to players, that’s what it means to everyone. Chennai (Super Kings) have won it a few times, Mumbai (Indians) have won it a few times, but it’s not an easy tournament to win; it is as simple as that, and you have to think long and hard about that. It’s not easy to win this thing," Ponting said at the post-match press conference.

Kohli fervently argued for the continued supremacy of Test cricket while commemorating the IPL title as the apex of his career.

“You know, this moment is right up there with the best moments I have had in my career. But it still marks five levels under Tests. I would just urge the youngsters coming through to treat that format with respect. Because if you perform in Tests, you walk around anywhere in the world, people look you in the eye and shake your hand and say, ‘well done, you played the game well," Kohli told the broadcasters after the final game.

Ponting, a Test arena icon in his own right, expressed his opinions on the format and completely agreed with Kohli's perspective.

“Yeah, I understand that. I’m probably one of the biggest purists of the game still involved, whether I’m coaching or commentating, my first love is Tests, always will be," Ponting stated.

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