Kohli’s Dream Realized: RCB Lifts Maiden IPL Trophy After 18 Years

In a night that will go down in cricket history, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended an 18-year wait to win their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title. The emotional triumph came at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, where RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by just six runs in a tense 2025 IPL final.

Match Highlights

The final was a thriller from start to finish.

• RCB: 190/9 in 20 overs

• Punjab Kings: 184/8 in 20 overs

• Result: RCB won by 6 runs

• Lowest target defended in an IPL final since 2017

Key performers:

• Virat Kohli anchored RCB’s innings with a steady 43 off 35 balls

• Krunal Pandya bowled a game-changing spell: 2 wickets for 17 runs in 4 overs

• Josh Hazlewood defended 29 runs in the final over, sealing victory

• Arshdeep Singh starred for PBKS with 3 wickets, but it wasn’t enough

The match had everything — pressure, nerves, and a fitting conclusion to RCB’s long pursuit of IPL glory.

Virat Kohli’s Emotional Triumph

After years of heartbreak, near misses, and unwavering loyalty, Virat Kohli finally lifted the IPL trophy  a moment millions of fans had been waiting for. Fighting back tears, Kohli said:

“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It’s been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, my prime, and my experience. Every season, I’ve tried to win this for RCB, and to have this moment is an unbelievable feeling.”

In a touching moment, Kohli invited Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers  two RCB legends to join him on stage and lift the trophy together, honoring their unforgettable roles in the team’s journey.

Celebrations and Reactions

The cricket world erupted with praise for RCB’s long-awaited win.

• Sachin Tendulkar congratulated Kohli, calling it poetic that “jersey number 18 finally lifted the trophy after 18 years.”

• Anand Mahindra praised Kohli’s loyalty and leadership, noting that the win represented “resilience, not just cricketing success.”

• Bengaluru’s streets came alive with chants of “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” — the city’s iconic slogan that finally came true.

• A grand victory parade has been scheduled for June 4 in Bengaluru to celebrate the historic triumph.

Season Highlight

Virat Kohli:

• 657 runs in 15 innings

• Average: 54.75 | Strike Rate: 146.5

• 8 half-centuries

• Became the first Indian to surpass 13,000 T20 runs

Josh Hazlewood:

• 22 wickets | RCB’s top wicket-taker

Phil Salt:

• Most catches for RCB (9)

A New Chapter for RCB

This victory is more than a trophy  it’s a statement of perseverance. RCB, often called “the unluckiest team in IPL,” has finally turned potential into performance. With a balanced squad of experienced players and young stars, the franchise has entered a new era of belief and dominance.

For Virat Kohli, it’s the ultimate redemption  and for fans, it’s the realization of a dream nearly two decades in the making.

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