Bengaluru erupts in joy over RCB's victory
Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrate their team’s victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final match against Punjab Kings, in Ahmedabad
Image: IANS
Karnataka, especially its capital Bengaluru city, erupted in joy following the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory in the final match of the IPL 2025 tournament late on Tuesday night.
Fans burst fireworks and poured onto the streets to celebrate till the early hours of Wednesday morning.
In pubs, bars and restaurants, fans cheered and celebrated the thrilling victory, donning RCB jerseys and caps.
Fireworks lit up Bengaluru's arterial roads.
It was a moment that brought together generations of RCB fans and stakeholders, past and present. And the rest of the IPL fraternity stood in unison to applaud the team’s hard-earned glory.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli celebrates with the trophy after his team’s victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final match against Punjab Kings, in Ahmedabad
Image: IANS
While the cricketing fraternity celebrated RCB’s victory, the occasion held deeply personal significance for Virat Kohli.
As the team held on to win by six runs against Punjab Kings in a nerve-wracking final, Kohli dropped to his knees in tears.
It was a fitting image of loyalty rewarded, after 18 years, three heartbreak losses in finals, and countless sacrifices, the talismanic batter had finally tasted IPL glory.
Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma embraced her husband, the senior RCB player, and modern batting legend Kohli as jitters in the stadium stretched from the pitch to the last row in the stands.
After breaking down on field, Kohli ran over to his wife, as he hugged her with tears streaming down his face.
When it all kicked in, the emotions erupted for him akin to Italy's Mount Etna volcano.
Sharma hugged and congratulated her husband.
For Kohli, the moment came a few weeks after he announced his retirement from Test cricket.
One can only imagine the sense of accomplishment that must be running through Kohli's mind at the moment.
The journey to the title was far from smooth. RCB lost early wickets in the final, but vital partnerships, particularly between Kohli and Mayank Agarwal, ensured a fighting total of 190.
Their bowlers, led by Krunal Pandya’s clutch spell of 2/17 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s nerveless death bowling, brought the cup home.
Despite a valiant 61* off 30 balls from Punjab’s Shashank Singh, RCB held their nerve. The final over drama only made the triumph sweeter.
The title win united past legends, rival franchises, and fans from across the globe in celebration.
After years of taunts, memes, and near-misses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are no longer titleless.
The script has flipped, the wait is over, and the roar of “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” now echoes in reality, not just hope.
The long wait is finally over and no one felt the emotions more than Vijay Mallya, the first owner of the Bengaluru franchise.
As Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden IPL trophy after 18 years of heartbreak and hope, the former RCB owner led the wave of congratulatory messages that poured in from across the cricketing world.
“RCB are IPL Champions finally after 18 years,” Mallya posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Superb campaign right through the 2025 tournament. A well-balanced team Playing Bold with outstanding coaching and support staff. Many congratulations! Ee sala cup namde!!”
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while praising RCB, said, "Congratulations to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on a historic IPL triumph. The dream has finally come true, Ee Sala Cup Namde. From electrifying performances to unshakable spirit, this triumph has ignited the pride of Karnataka and thrilled fans across the world."
"The RCB boys have, through their organised team performance throughout the tournament, made the dreams of millions of fans come true today. This victory for RCB embodies Virat Kohli's 18 years of dedication, loyalty, and commitment. There's no doubt that every RCB player delivered a champion performance in all departments, bowling, batting, and fielding. This is a day that created history. Finally, this time, the cup is ours," the Chief Minister added.
Union Minister and Janata Dal-Secular leader, H.D. Kumaraswamy, congratulated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team for their thrilling victory in the IPL 2025 tournament.
Releasing a media statement on RCB's victory, Union Minister Kumaraswamy expressed his joy, saying, "This time the cup is ours." He congratulated Patidar's team for playing with spirit, and especially lauded veteran player Virat Kohli.
"Heartfelt congratulations to the RCB Bangalore team for their historic dual victory in the IPL tournament. The magnificent cricket displayed by Patidar's team, which fulfilled the dreams of millions of Kannadigas, has captivated not only Kannadigas but also cricket lovers across the entire world."
"In my opinion, this victory is a magnificent milestone in Karnataka's cricket history. I especially congratulate veteran player Virat Kohli, who dedicated himself to the team's success for a long period of 18 years," the Union Minister expressed happily.