After nearly two decades of anticipation, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has finally claimed the IPL title. In a gripping final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings by six runs to end the 18-year-long title drought.
This victory marked a historic moment for both the franchise and their iconic player Virat Kohli who was visibly emotional as the final moments played out. His tears reflected the years of heartbreak and near-misses, with this championship now cementing his legacy as an IPL winner at last.
Here is how the Indian celebrities reacted on X:
Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, “Congratulations to @RCBTweets on their first-ever IPL title. Fitting that jersey no. 18 lifts the trophy in the 18th edition. Well played and well deserved! Well played to PunjabKingsIPL as well for a well-fought season.”
https://x.com/sachin_rt/status/1929967510570578424
Yuvraj Singh wrote, “Been a long wait, but the best stories are worth it! To win after 18 years takes more than talent 🏆 It takes belief, resilience and fire. Congrats @RCBTweets on a well-earned title. Massive congratulations to @imVkohli All these seasons, one team and belief in that one dream! And what a moment to have @ABdeVilliers17 and @henrygayle at the ground cheering on the legacy they helped shape. Well done #RajatPatidar and to the entire team and support staff of #RCB! Tough luck to @PunjabKingsIPL . They played fearless cricket and came close! Led with great intent by @ShreyasIyer15! Chin up, boys. The fight was real, and so was the heart”
https://x.com/YUVSTRONG12/status/1929970776754508262
Irfan Pathan tweeted, “18 saal Ka Intezar khatam. RCB”
https://x.com/IrfanPathan/status/1929963791472812100
Allu Arjun wrote, “THE WAIT IS OVER . “Ee sala cup namde!” At last! We’ve been waiting for this day for 18 years. A big, big congratulations to RCB!”
https://x.com/alluarjun/status/1929961581548286447
Mohammad Kaif’s tweet read, “In Virat Kohli and RCB winning IPL after 18 years is a life lesson for everyone. Loyalty and consistency has its rewards”
https://x.com/MohammadKaif/status/1929966738289893778
Mahesh Babu tweeted, “All heart….All class….All #18. This win was written in the stars… Congratulations @imVkohli and Team RCB on this historic win…”
https://x.com/urstrulyMahesh/status/1930127193222590729
Harbhajan Singh wrote, “Many congratulations”
https://x.com/harbhajan_singh/status/1929994311128756326
Aakash Chopra shared, “Kaun kahta hai adhura ishq mukammal nahi hota…RCB is the IPL champion”
https://x.com/cricketaakash/status/1929960390060048425
Sonu Sood tweeted, “RCB!!! Mehnat ka phal meetha hota hai – finally! Virat bhai & team, Heartily congratulations . Punjab – tough luck, played with heart and character! Respect to both sides! 🏆❤️ #RCB #IPL2025 @RCBTweets”
https://x.com/SonuSood/status/1929963793590767977
Even the old founder and fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya couldn’t stop himself from congratulating his once founded team, he wrote, “When I founded RCB it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years. I also had the honour of picking Chris Gayle the Universe Boss and Mr 360 AB DeVillers who remain an indelible part of RCB history. Finally, the IPL trophy arrives in Bengaluru. Congratulations and thanks again to all who made my dream come true. RCB fans are the very best and they deserve the IPL trophy. Ee Sala Cup Bengaluru baruthe !”
https://x.com/TheVijayMallya/status/1929995817273749782
A little bit about the match:
RCB’s total of 190/9 seemed modest at first, especially considering the favourable pitch conditions. The innings lacked explosive moments and was instead built on scattered contributions. Kohli played a steady hand, scoring 43 runs off 35 balls with just three boundaries, two of which came well after the powerplay. Despite early promise from Phil Salt who hit a six and four in the first over, his dismissal in the next over disrupted momentum.
The middle order, including Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone, all got starts but none could convert them into big scores. Kyle Jamieson was instrumental for Punjab, finishing with 3/48 and breaking key partnerships at regular intervals. Arshdeep Singh who had an expensive start staged a dramatic comeback in the final over by taking three wickets and limiting RCB’s chances of crossing the 200-run mark.
Punjab Kings began their chase with confidence. Openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh added 43 runs in five overs, laying a solid platform. Josh Inglis also made a valuable 39 and the chase looked well within reach during his partnership with Prabhsimran. However, RCB’s bowlers struck back at crucial junctures. Krunal Pandya delivered a tight spell, conceding just 17 runs in four overs and removing both Prabhsimran and Josh Inglis. The turning point came when Romario Shepherd dismissed Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer for just one run, a blow from which Punjab never fully recovered.
Although Shashank Singh fought valiantly with an unbeaten 61, RCB’s disciplined bowling and pressure fielding ensured the target remained out of reach. As the final delivery was bowled and Punjab finished at 184/7, the RCB camp erupted in wild celebration, finally tasting the success that had eluded them for so long.
Virat Kohli, overwhelmed by the moment, summed it up best when he said he would “sleep like a baby tonight”.
Congratulations RCB!
