E Sala Cup Namdu! Kohli’s RCB Ends 18-Year Wait With Historic IPL TriumphRoyal Challengers Bengaluru finally lift their maiden IPL trophy after 18 years, led by Virat Kohli’s standout season

 

After 18 years of disappointment and unrelenting fan support, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)  have finally become Indian Premier League (IPL) champions.
In a heart-stopping final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, RCB beat Punjab Kings by six runs to claim their first-ever title in the 18th edition of the tournament.

For a team that had agonizingly fallen short several times, the wait finally came to an end, and Virat Kohli was at its forefront.

 

Kohli: The Heart of RCB’s Journey

 

From the teenager who joined the side in 2008 to the seasoned campaigner who bled red and gold for 17 seasons, Virat Kohli’s journey with RCB has been nothing short of legendary. Donning jersey number 18, the talismanic batter fittingly lifted the trophy in the league’s 18th season.

Kohli was central to the 2025 season, being RCB’s top run-getter with 657 runs off 15 games, scoring some match-winning innings along the way. He led his team’s batting in the final with a calm 43 out of 35 deliveries, setting up a fighting score.

“I have sacrificed my youth, my prime. I gave it all I had. I never expected this day to arrive,” exclaimed a visibly shaken Kohli during the post-match presentation. “The moment the final ball was bowled, I was in tears.”

 

Tendulkar’s Symbolic Salute

 

Tributes poured in from across the cricketing world, but one message stood out. Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, known for his deep admiration of Kohli’s commitment, took to social media to share a heartfelt message.

Congratulations to @RCBTweets on winning their first-ever IPL title. Just appropriate that jersey no. 18 wins the trophy in the 18th season. Well played and deserved! Well played also to @PunjabKingsIPL for a well-fought campaign,” Tendulkar posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

 

How the Final Unfolded

 

RCB batted first and put up 190/9 in their 20 overs. Punjab’s bowling department, spearheaded by Arshdeep Singh (3/28) and Kyle Jamieson (3/36), kept things under control, but cameos from Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone ensured that RCB reached 190 runs.

Punjab Kings replied with purpose. But the change of gear was brought about by Krunal Pandya’s masterful spell (2/17), which put pressure and created crucial breakthroughs. Despite a late rampage by Shashank Singh, who hit an unbeaten 61 off 30 balls, Punjab was short of 184/7.

 

A Victory Shared with Legends

 

In perhaps the most touching moment of the evening, Kohli invited AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, two RCB legends who had gone all out during the franchise’s lean times, to join him on the stage to hold the trophy aloft. The move represented the shared odyssey of a team, supported through the years by generations of players and fervently supported by fans.

 

Redemption at Last

 

RCB had ended as runner-ups thrice, in 2009, 2011, and 2016, and the label of ‘perennial underachievers’ was synonymous with the franchise.

The narrative for Kohli has thereby somewhat changed. For Kohli, this trophy is not a mere piece of silverware. It is an affirmation that the years of perseverance and relentless pursuit of excellence have borne fruit. For the fans, it is the end of a legacy of sorrow and inspiration for a fresh one.

As fireworks lit up the skyline of Ahmedabad, there was no doubt in anyone's heart that the Royal Challengers' Bengaluru had achieved the final form of greatness. They were no longer chasing glory.