Moments after he won the Indian Premier League for the first time, Virat Kohli opened up on the ‘support and sacrifices’ Anushka Sharma made behind the scenes, which enabled him to focus on his on-field task. In his 18th year with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli finally won the IPL after his team, led by Rajat Patidar, beat Punjab Kings in the final on Tuesday.
It triggered emotional scenes at the Stadium in . Kohli teared up mid-way through the 20th over after it became all-but certain that would be crowned the champions for the first time. Once the result was official, Kohli embraced Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, his wife since 2017.
Speaking to broadcasters Star Sports, Kohli said that Anushka, who was raised in , has been ‘supporting RCB since 2014’.
“So it’s been 11 years for her as well, you know. Relentlessly coming to games, watching tough games, watching us just miss out. What your life partner does for you to be able to play, and the sacrifices, and the commitment, and just backing you through thick and thin, is something you can’t explain in words. Only when you play professionally, you understand the amount of things that go on behind the scenes, and what they go through as well,” Kohli said after the match.
Kohli hailed Anushka’s support when he was ‘down and out’ during the years RCB could not win the title. The former franchise captain said he’d even lost hope that he’d get to lift the trophy.
“What Anushka has gone through emotionally, watching me, being down and out, her coming to games, being so connected with Bangalore, she’s a Bangalore girl as well, and being connected to RCB, this is very, very special for her as well, and she’s going to be so, so proud,” he said.
