Dhaka, June 5 -- Virat Kohli's carefully crafted image of a snarling warrior melted away as the 36-year-old was reduced to an emotional wreck after Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 17-season wait for a maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title on Tuesday.

Bengaluru were effectively assured of victory in the final against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad after Josh Hazlewood began the final over with two dot balls.

As the broadcasters' camera panned, it caught a teary-eyed Kohli covering his mouth with cupped hands in disbelief.

As Bengaluru sealed a six-run victory, Kohli hunched over the turf and punched it in delight before being mobbed by teammates.

"It's been 18 long years," an emotional Kohli, still with bloodshot eyes, told the b...