, June 4 -- After 18 long years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have finally laid their hands on the IPL trophy - and no player embodied that long-awaited moment more than Virat Kohli.

For the Indian superstar, this was more than a title. It marked the culmination of a personal journey that began with RCB's very first season back in 2008.

"His cricketing career was nearly born at RCB," reflected former Australia coach Tom Moody.

"That's why you saw him so emotional. He came here as a young player, and this franchise helped shape him into the cricketer he is today," Moody said.

Now 36, Kohli has spent his entire IPL career wearing RCB colours. In 259 innings, he has scored 8,661 runs at an average of 39.54 - more than anyone else in...