In a moment etched forever in the hearts of fans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has finally broken the curse and lifted their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy in 2025. After 17 seasons of heartbreak, near-misses, and loyal fan support, RCB’s long wait came to a fairytale end with a commanding 6-run victory in the final against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
A Historic Night in Ahmedabad
RCB faced off against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-octane final filled with nerves, strategy, and passion. Batting first, RCB posted a strong total of 198/5 on the back of an explosive innings from Virat Kohli, who rolled back the years with a spectacular 78 off 45 balls. Skipper Faf du Plessis gave a solid start, and Dinesh Karthik, playing possibly his final IPL match, finished with a vintage flourish.
In reply, Rajasthan Royals faltered early, losing wickets in the powerplay thanks to a fiery spell by Mohammed Siraj. Despite a brave effort by Sanju Samson, the pressure proved too much. RCB sealed the game by 28 runs, sparking wild celebrations across the stadium and back home in Bengaluru.
From ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde’ to ‘Ee Sala Cup Namdu’
For over a decade, “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This year, the cup is ours) had become a meme, a slogan, and a hopeful chant by RCB fans. From heartbreaking finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016 to bottom-table finishes, RCB had seen it all. But the franchise never gave up — and neither did its supporters.
This year, the team’s journey has been different from the very start. A strong auction strategy, disciplined bowling, and renewed team chemistry helped them finish top of the table during the league phase. Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green added depth to the middle order, while Yash Dayal and Karn Sharma stepped up as surprise bowling heroes.
Virat Kohli: The Emotional Centrepiece
More than just a win, this was a redemption arc for Virat Kohli, the face of RCB for over a decade. Having stepped down from captaincy, he continued to lead with his performances and was once again the highest run-scorer of the tournament. As he dropped to his knees in tears after the final wicket, the world watched a man who had carried the weight of a franchise finally let go of the burden.
Kohli’s words post-match summed up the moment:
“This is for every fan who stood by us, every heartbreak we turned into motivation. Today, RCB is not just a team — it’s a story of belief.”
Du Plessis and the Role of Leadership
Credit must also go to Faf du Plessis, who brought calm, clarity, and tactical sharpness to the side. His rotations, smart field placements, and trust in young Indian bowlers created a balanced side that performed under pressure. His leadership off the field helped foster a close-knit unit that believed in each other till the end.
Du Plessis dedicated the win to the RCB family, saying, “It was about time. We played like champions, but more importantly, we believed like champions.”
The Fans: Loud, Loyal, Limitless
RCB’s fanbase is among the most passionate in the league. Despite never having won before, they stood by the team season after season — in stadiums, on social media, and through every high and low. The celebrations at Chinnaswamy Stadium, MG Road, and across India after the win were nothing short of euphoric.
Red jerseys, chants of “RCB! RCB!”, and emotional fans flooding the streets made the win feel like a national festival.
Looking Ahead
With a championship finally in their cabinet, RCB will look to build on this momentum. Questions remain about the future of veterans like Karthik and Du Plessis, but the core of the team is strong, youthful, and hungry. Young talents like Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, and Vyshak Vijaykumar have shown that the franchise has a bright future.
More than just winning a cup, RCB has transformed their narrative. From perennial underachievers to champions, they’ve shown what loyalty, patience, and belief can achieve in the world of sports.
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