Virat Kohli and RCB win IPL, achieve grand breakthrough

Overwhelmed in 2011, narrowly defeated by six runs in 2009, losing by eight runs in 2016, 2025 was ultimately their moment. In front of a crowd of 91,419 in Ahmedabad, mostly backing their franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru executed an economical bowling display to defend 190 and concluded a 17-year wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) championship. Similar to how English football enthusiasts cling to the slogan “It’s coming home” in anticipation of a Cup victory, RCB fans have embraced “Ee Sala Cup Namade” as their rallying cry, which was ultimately fulfilled on Tuesday night against Punjab Kings.

Virat Kohli will no longer be a king without a crown. He was crying tears of happiness when Josh Hazlewood managed to defend 29 runs in the last over. The winning difference was just six runs, but those last boundaries were irrelevant.

After 17 years of hard work, he had a title to display. It’s only right that AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle observed from the stands and subsequently celebrated with the RCB players. Both were prominent figures in RCB’s fanbase. Finals can be ruthless. Joy for one side results in suffering for the other team. In a competition such as the IPL, ten weeks of effort, hardship, and struggle mean nothing if the championship is lost. Now it was PBKS’ moment to feel the anguish. This marked just their second final in IPL history, and they must wait further to grasp the trophy.