Former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron was delighted for Virat Kohli after Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their maiden IPL title. RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Tuesday, which ended their 18-year-old long wait for the IPL crown.

Meanwhile, it is well known that Kohli has been associated with RCB since the inception of the IPL and he has given his sweat and blood to the franchise. Aaron noted that Kohli would have received the brunt if RCB had not won the title.

Virat Kohli top-scored for RCB in the tournament with 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71.

“He [Kohli] has been the king of the castle in RCB for 18 years,” said Aaron on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out. “At the end of the day, if they haven’t won a trophy, the first person they’re going to look at is Virat Kohli. And Virat Kohli, he loves to win. He can’t take second as even an option. So this is huge for him. Also, the kind of adoration and love he gets from the fans, from the franchise, is just huge.”

The former RCB pacer hailed Virat Kohli for giving his all to the franchise in the last 18 years despite so many disappointments.

“This is what they’ve been expecting for the longest time. It has come good. RCB have been the most loved team in the Indian Premier League by far. And now I don’t know where Virat’s going to go after this. The biggest Indian player after Sachin Tendulkar, I would say, who’s played day in, day out for 18 years, he’s hardly ever missed matches, he’s hardly ever missed IPLs, and he’s turned up season after season,” Aaron said.

“And given everything, when fans see the main player give everything on the field, with bat and even on the field, they’re going to feel that, you know what, this guy deserves something.”

Kohli and RCB would look to defend their title in the next season.