Royal Challengers Bengaluru Ends 18-Year Drought with IPL Victory

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Ends 18-Year Drought with IPL Victory

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy on Tuesday, ending an 18-year wait after defeating the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a thrilling final of the 2025 season. Set to bat first, RCB scored an impressive total of 190 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Virat Kohli, the face of the franchise and a key player since its inception in 2008, contributed significantly with a solid 43 runs off 35 balls.

While PBKS started their innings promisingly, RCB's bowlers swiftly made inroads, restricting their opponents to 184 runs for 7 wickets. This narrow victory, by just six runs, heightens the emotional significance for the entire RCB camp, particularly for Kohli, who expressed a mix of tears, joy, and laughter during the celebrations. One of the most memorable moments occurred when Kohli, ecstatic over the victory, leaped in delight and embraced former Indian coach Ravi Shastri, with both men sharing heartfelt congratulations.

Shastri, who played a pivotal role in India's cricketing success during his coaching tenure, and Kohli shared a deep bond, having worked closely together while Kohli was the captain of Team India during Shastri's leadership. This victory was seen as a fitting tribute to their collaboration and dedication towards achieving greatness in cricket.

Rajat Patidar, the young captain of RCB, also found the victory particularly special. “This win means a lot to me, to Virat Kohli, and all the fans who have supported us through the years. After our performance in Qualifier 1, we believed we could achieve this. Scoring 190 was crucial on a comparatively slower track, and our bowlers executed their plans beautifully,” he remarked during the post-match presentation.

RCB's Championship win reverberated across the nation, marking a significant celebration for fans who have endured years of disappointment despite the franchise’s popularity and talent-laden roster. Their achievement was underscored by the notable presence of former RCB legends like Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, who joined in the celebrations while Kohli hoisted the trophy, symbolizing a dream realized after nearly two decades.

The franchise's former owner, Vijay Mallya, who became synonymous with RCB since its inception, even took to social media to express his elation, acknowledging the impressive journey of RCB and congratulating the team on their historic triumph. “RCB are IPL Champions finally after 18 years. It has been a superb campaign throughout the tournament, with a well-balanced team and outstanding coaching. Congratulations! Ee sala cup namde!!” Mallya tweeted, echoing the sentiments of countless fans.

Reflecting on the long path to success, Mallya expressed pride in having chosen Kohli, along with other cricketing luminaries like Gayle and De Villiers, when he first founded the team. This victory not only awards RCB the much-deserved title but also leaves the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings as the only franchises still in search of their maiden IPL Championship since the league's inception in 2008.