Virat Kohli snubs Chris Gayle from his most memorable RCB moment in IPL

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli recently revealed his most memorable moment from his 18-year career with the franchise. The right-handed batter picked the Indian Premier League 2025 final against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) as memorable and name-dropped AB de Villiers.

Kohli ended his long trophy drought when Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings to secure their maiden IPL trophy in 2025. He was the leading run-getter for the team. The batter amassed 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, including eight half-centuries.

It's Not Difficult At All - Virat Kohli

Speaking at a promotional event sponsored by Sun Pharma, Virat Kohli recalled an emotional interaction with AB de Villiers. Kohli said that a celebration from the former Proteas captain across the boundary rope will remain with him forever.

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"It's not difficult at all, the final was very memorable. But there are moments within the game as well, which one remembers fondly. I would highlight two moments, which were quite special for me."

🚨VIRAT KOHLI SHARES HIS MOST MEMORABLE RCB MOMENT.🚨

He said🎙️- Final was very memorable, & there were special moments in the game as well - like when they got an important wicket & he, along with ABD at the boundary, celebrated with the same emotion.🥹pic.twitter.com/SyIFumogOT

— Sam (@Cricsam01) March 21, 2026

"One was when we got an important wicket. I was fielding at the boundary and AB De Villiers was standing outside. We both celebrated, like he was across the rope and I was in the ground, but we both celebrated in the same emotion."

"So that was very special because that highlighted what the team means for us and what we have shared the ups and downs, the emotions, the heartbreaks, the almost moments," he added.

A Look At Virat Kohli’s Record For Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL

Virat Kohli joined RCB in the inaugural 2008 season and went on to establish himself as the backbone of the franchise. He enjoyed a record-breaking 2016 campaign, scoring 973 runs in 16 matches at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03, including four centuries and seven fifties.

In the following seasons, he remained one of the most consistent performers in the league. He scored 541 runs in 2018 and followed it up with 464 runs in 2019.

Kohli returned to top form in 2023, amassing 639 runs in 14 matches at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82, including two centuries and six fifties. He carried that momentum into the 2024 and 2025 seasons as well, playing a key role at the top of the order.

Overall, across multiple seasons with RCB, Kohli has played over 267 matches and scored more than 8,500 runs at an average of around 39 and a strike rate above 130, including eight centuries and 63 fifties.

A Look At AB de Villiers’s Record For Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL

AB de Villiers joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2011 and scored 312 runs in 10 matches at an average of 34.66 and a strike rate of 144.44, including two fifties.

In the following seasons, he established himself as the backbone of RCB’s batting lineup. The middle-order batter amassed 513 runs in 16 matches at an average of 46.63 and a strike rate of 174.24, registering one century and three fifties during the 2015 campaign.

In 2016, he scored 687 runs in 16 matches at an average of 52.84 and a strike rate of 168.79, including one century and six fifties, playing a crucial role in RCB’s run to the final. He remained one of the most consistent performers for the franchise in the following years, delivering impactful knocks under pressure and finishing games with remarkable consistency.

Overall, across 11 seasons with RCB, AB de Villiers played 156 matches and scored 4,491 runs at an average of 41.20 and a strike rate of 158.63, including two centuries and 37 fifties.

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