The wait is finally over. After 18 long years of heartbreak, hope, and heavy trolling, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have finally done it. On a memorable Tuesday night in Ahmedabad, they lifted their first-ever IPL title, and it couldn’t have been more poetic. The man who’s been the face of this franchise, Virat Kohli, stood teary-eyed as the dream he’s chased for nearly two decades finally came true.
For Punjab Kings, it was another punch to the gut. They had a terrific season, full of grit and flair, but when it came down to the final, the wheels came off. After exceeding expectations all tournament, they were left dealing with a familiar pain—heartbreak on the big stage.
This wasn’t just any final. This was the 18th IPL season, won by the man in jersey No. 18. If you believe in signs, this one was hard to miss. RCB, the team that had become the butt of every “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” joke, finally silenced the noise. And boy, did they do it in style.
RCB’s journey this year wasn’t about just one or two players shining. It was about a team that learned from past mistakes, played smart cricket, and held their nerve. For a fanbase that has suffered through years of "so close, yet so far", this win was pure redemption.
It wasn’t just the fans who were overwhelmed. You could see the emotions bubbling over in Kohli even before the last ball was bowled. He knew what this meant—not just to him, but to the millions who had stuck with RCB through thick and thin. When it was over, he hugged Anushka Sharma, tears streaming down, as the stadium exploded. To make it even more special, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, two RCB legends, were right there to celebrate with him. You couldn’t script it better.
Then came the speech. And it hit hard.
“I’ve given this team my youth, my prime, and now my experience. Every single season, I’ve come back hoping this would be the year. To finally see it happen… it’s unreal.”
That’s not just a quote—it’s a full-circle moment.
On the field, RCB defended 190 runs with nerves of steel. It was a tough pitch, and it didn’t offer much for stroke-making. But while the batting may have been a touch below par, the bowling unit stepped up, big time.
Krunal Pandya was sensational, finishing with figures of 2 for 17, and Josh Hazlewood was his usual, deadly self. The two applied constant pressure, and Punjab’s big names just couldn’t cope. Captain Shreyas Iyer, who had been solid all season, had a forgettable outing—just 1 run when his team needed him the most.
This win also shut down one of the oldest criticisms of RCB—that they only focus on star batters and ignore bowlers. In 2025, that narrative flipped. The auction strategy paid off, and the bowling attack—often their weakest link—became their strength when it mattered most. The final wasn’t won by a 100 from Kohli or a blitz from Maxwell. It was won by a tight, clinical bowling performance.
And the man leading that charge was Krunal Pandya, who rightly took home the Player of the Match award. Kohli wasn’t shy about praising him:
“That spell will be remembered for ages.”
So that’s that. RCB are finally champions. No more jokes. No more near-misses. No more heartbreak. The banner that’s been waved every season—“Ee Sala Cup Namde”—isn’t a meme anymore. It’s history.
And for Virat Kohli, the man who gave everything to this franchise, this was the night he finally got something back. The cup is namdu. Finally.
Description:
"After 18 years of heartbreak, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lift their maiden IPL title in 2025. Virat Kohli leads the emotional charge as RCB defeat Punjab Kings in a thrilling final. Read the full match recap, highlights, and post-match reactions."