After an 18-year-long wait, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have finally etched their name in history, clinching their maiden IPL title. Emotions ran high as Virat Kohli finally achieved his long-cherished dream. He was seen in tears after lifting the coveted trophy.
The final over was packed with drama, with Punjab Kings needing 29 runs. Shashank Singh fought valiantly, scoring 22, but it wasn’t enough — the night firmly belonged to RCB.
Momentum swung dramatically in the 17th over when Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck twice, removing Nehal Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis in quick succession. Earlier, RCB wrested control with the dismissals of Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, and Josh Inglis in rapid succession.
Punjab Kings had a promising start with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh putting up 43 runs in just five overs. However, Josh Hazlewood broke the stand, aided by a sharp catch from Phil Salt that sent Priyansh packing.
RCB posted a total of 190/9 in their 20 overs, with Virat Kohli top-scoring at 43. However, the spotlight was on Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep Singh, who each claimed three wickets. RCB’s innings struggled to find momentum, falling short of the par score usually needed at Ahmedabad. Kohli narrowly missed a half-century, and Anushka Sharma’s emotional reaction summed up the tension. On a ground where 200-plus chases are common, RCB looked stuck in lower gear, but it proved just enough in the end.
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RCB’s Road to Glory: From Heartbreaks to History
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, one of the original IPL franchises formed in 2008, had a turbulent start to their journey. Despite boasting big names, they finished near the bottom in the inaugural season but bounced back strongly in 2009, reaching their first final under Anil Kumble, only to lose to Deccan Chargers. Another final appearance came in 2011, this time led by Daniel Vettori and powered by Chris Gayle, but they again fell short, this time against Chennai Super Kings. These early years set the tone for a team known for flair but plagued by inconsistency.
The 2016 season is remembered as RCB’s golden yet heartbreaking run. Led by Virat Kohli, who scored a record-breaking 973 runs that season, RCB stormed into the final with an explosive batting lineup featuring AB de Villiers and Gayle. However, they narrowly lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in another agonizing finish. Despite having a loyal fanbase and superstar players, the team endured years of playoff exits, squad rebuilds, and leadership changes, with Kohli eventually stepping down as captain in 2021 in pursuit of a fresh approach.
Finally, in 2025, after 18 long seasons, RCB’s perseverance paid off. In a tense final against Punjab Kings, they held their nerve to lift their maiden IPL trophy. The victory was a deeply emotional moment for players and fans alike, especially Virat Kohli, who had waited his entire career for this triumph. It marked not just the end of a title drought but the beginning of a new chapter in RCB’s legacy — one of belief, redemption, and ultimate glory.
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