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A global football icon has joined the chorus celebrating Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's long-awaited maiden Indian Premier League triumph. Kohli, revered as one of cricket's all-time greats, boasts an unparalleled resume: Under-19 World Cup champion, ICC Cricket World Cup winner, holder of the ICC Test Mace, and victor in the ICC T20 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy.
Yet, for 17 arduous years, the one glittering prize that eluded the 36-year-old Delhi dynamo was the IPL trophy, despite three heartbreaking final appearances with RCB. The 2025 season finally shattered that drought, with Kohli playing a pivotal role as Bengaluru claimed the coveted silverware after an incredible campaign.
As congratulations flooded in from across the sporting globe, a particularly special message landed from English soccer superstar Harry Kane, who shared a heartfelt tribute to Kohli and his team's historic achievement.
Harry Kane's throwback tribute: Celebrating Virat Kohli's triumph
Demonstrating the deep mutual respect between the two sporting giants, Kane took to Instagram to publicly honor Virat Kohli's milestone. His post featured a touching trio of photographs capturing moments of their friendship. One image showed the pair proudly holding each other's jerseys, a classic symbol of cross-sport admiration. The other two snaps depicted them sharing lighter, joyful interactions, highlighting their genuine connection off the field.
Accompanying these nostalgic visuals was a warm and succinct message directly addressing Kohli and RCB. Kane wrote: "One from the archives to say a massive congrats to @virat.kohli and @royalchallengers.bengaluru on a first IPL title!! Unreal achievement."
This gesture resonates powerfully on multiple levels. Both athletes recently conquered their own significant title droughts. Harry Kane secured his first major league trophy just last month, lifting the Bundesliga Cup with Bayern Munich, breaking his own spell without top-flight silverware. Similarly, Virat Kohli has now filled the lone conspicuous gap in his otherwise overflowing trophy cabinet, finally securing the IPL championship that had teased him for nearly two decades.
Their bond extends beyond this moment. Kane has consistently shown public support for Kohli, notably reacting with respect when the cricketer announced his retirement from Test cricket the previous month. Harry Kane's Instagram tribute, pulling "one from the archives," underscores a friendship that has developed over time, built on mutual recognition of each other's dedication and excellence in their respective sporting arenas.
His public celebration of Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru's long-sought victory, marked by personal photos and genuine enthusiasm, adds a unique and heartwarming dimension to the global acclaim surrounding RCB's maiden IPL triumph. It’s a testament to how sporting achievement and genuine camaraderie can transcend the boundaries of individual games.
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