Virat Kohli takes responsibility for RCB's shock IPL 2016 final defeat to Sunrisers

Taking the blame for the defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli has said that his and AB de Villiers' dismissals were a 'big blow' for the side.

The RCB's hopes of clinching their maiden IPL title were dented after they suffered an eight-run defeat at the hands of David Warner's side at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.

"We knew one big partnership would have set the tone for us. But me and AB getting out close to each other was a big blow. I was really disappointed to get out on that stage. I knew I had things under control and we would have achieved the target had I stayed with AB a little longer, but this is the way a game goes," Kohli said after failing to reach the 1000-run milestone in a single season.

Chasing a daunting total of 209, Gayle (76) and Kohli (54) did provide the Bangalore franchise a ray of hope to clinch their first IPL title by sharing a 114-run partnership for the opening stand.

However, once the duo got dismissed, the team kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and fell short of the target in their stipulated 20 overs. De Villiers got dismissed after scoring mere five runs.

Kohli admitted he is gutted by the defeat, but added he is extremely proud to see his players play as a unit.

"Definitely proud of the way we played as a team this season. I mentioned it before the finals, this was for people of Bengaluru. We wanted to do that for them. They have come out to support us in worst of seasons. I feel gutted that we have not been able to cross the line for them. I know the guys wanted to cross the line. We have reached finals twice, once in Champions League as well. We would have loved to be on the other side of the result," he added.

The Indian prolific batsman, however, congratulated Warner's side for clinching the title and insisted that they highly deserved the victory.

After receiving the 'Orange Cap' for scoring maximum runs in the IPL season, Kohli said it is a special achievement on a personal level, but added that it would have been much better if he had received it in his side's winning cause.

"It is a nice incentive for the way we have gone throughout the season, but it doesn't feel really nice on the other side of the results. Obviously as a personal achievement, this is very special knowing there are eight teams in the competition with world-class batsmen. It feels nice to have scored more runs than anyone else, more importantly because we reach finals," he said.

Kohli notched up a total of 973 runs, including four centuries and seven half-centuries, in the 16 matches he played this season.

-ANI