"It was seen in the emotions" - World Cup 2025 winner's huge statement on Virat Kohli and RCB ending IPL trophy drought

Women's World Cup 2025 winner Sneh Rana opened up on Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ending their wait for an IPL trophy. Rana was part of the Indian Women's team that beat South Africa in the final of the World Cup 2025 to clinch their maiden ICC title.

In an exclusive conversation with Filmygyaan, Sneh Rana hailed Virat Kohli for his loyalty towards RCB. She reckoned that he set a huge example for everyone across the globe. The Bengaluru-based franchise defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final to win the trophy for the first time.

She expressed her feelings while they won the trophy and also stated that Kohli's emotions showed what winning the IPL after a long wait of 17 years meant to him. Notably, Kohli has been with RCB right from the inaugural edition in 2008.

"I also got goosebumps and I was emotional. Virat Kohli is that player who has set a very big example for everyone. Not just for Indians but all over the world. He was working hard for a long time. The loyalty that he has shown for RCB, 17 years is a long time, and when that final over was going on, he started crying. It was seen how full he was and the hunger he had to lift that trophy, and the hard work of so many years paid off. It was seen in the emotions," she said.

Kohli was seen celebrating with his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma as well after the final. Speaking of the couple, Sneh Rana said:

"They have a very beautiful bond, the way Anushka supports him, and in the same way, Virat also gives her that respect. I like that a lot personally."

Kohli played a vital role in their victory. He was their highest run-getter with 657 runs from 15 matches at an average of 54.75 and a strike-rate of 144.71 with eight half-centuries.

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Sneh Rana opens up on joining RCB as a replacement player in WPL 2025

Sneh Rana was surprisingly unsold during the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction. However, she joined RCB as a replacement for the injured Shreyanka Patil at a later stage of the season.

She revealed that it was Smriti Mandhana who had called her and asked if she could join the team.

"I was playing domestic matches for Railways when the auction was going on. I went unsold but I did not feel a lot. Suddenly, one day Smriti called me that can you join RCB? I was in Dehradun and doing office. So I said, yeah, why not, I'll come. She asked me to come for two to three days and that they would see. I told its okay even if I get that opportunity for a few days. So I went there and joined them. I enjoyed my time with RCB. I am somehow grateful to them," she said.

Sneh Rana played five matches in the 2025 season. She bagged six wickets at an average of 18.50 and an economy of 8.22. The all-rounder got only two opportunities to bat. In a game against the UP Warriorz, she slammed a record six-ball 26 at a strike-rate of 433.33 with two boundaries and three maximums.

Edited by Rishab Vm