Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Pitadar says that nobody deserves their Indian Premier League triumph more than Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli.

Kohli has played for RCB since the first year of the IPL after it was founded in 2008. They have never previously been champions, finishing as runners-up on three separate occasions.

While Pitadar singled out various members of the team for individual praise, he focused particularly on Kohli following the six-run victory over Punjab Kings on Tuesday.

"It is really special for me, special for Virat Kohli and all the fans who have supported us for years. So I think they all deserve it," said Pitadar, as quoted by ESPN cricinfo.

"Suyash [Sharma] also bowled really well throughout the season and all the bowlers, fast bowlers, Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar], Yash [Dayal], [Josh] Hazlewood.

"It's a great opportunity for me to captain him [Virat Kohli] and it was a great learning for me. As I said, I think he deserves it more than anyone else, Virat Kohli and all the fans.

"After that, I think everyone who has supported, everyone, the management, the support staff, the coaching staff. I think the way they have supported every player, I think that was beautiful."

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒  RCB PLAYED BOLD! 

17 Years, 6256 Days, 90,08,640 Minutes later, the wait finally ends. 

The IPL Trophy is finally coming home. And we CANT KEEP CALM! pic.twitter.com/lQvtLff9o2

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 3, 2025

Opening batsman Phil Salt, meanwhile, was beaming with pride following the victory despite a lack of sleep.

While usually playing as a wicket-keeper, the Englishman produced a moment of magic on the boundary to catch Priyansh Arya from an effort that was destined to go for six.

"It's an unbelievable feeling right now. Honestly, I don't quite know where I am at the minute. I've not had the most sleep, but so proud of the boys," he said.

"Everywhere we go, we are the best-supported team. It's ridiculous, the fanbase. We've got AB [de Villiers] here, we've got Chris [Gayle] here. Everyone has come back. If you play for them, you love the franchise. If you support them, you love them, and we're so grateful for that.

"Thanks for supporting us, thanks for coming out in numbers. Early on in the comp, there were a few games where we were behind the eight ball, and we sort of rode the crowd, so you have won more games than you think this IPL for us."