June 4, 2025
On June 3, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) etched their name into the annals of Indian Premier League (IPL) history by clinching their maiden title, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by a nail-biting six-run margin in the final at Ahmedabad. For a franchise that had endured 18 years of heartbreak, three final losses, and relentless scrutiny, this victory was nothing short of a fairy tale. At the heart of this triumph was Virat Kohli, the talisman who embodied RCB’s spirit, whose unwavering loyalty and match-defining contributions finally culminated in the ultimate redemption—lifting the coveted IPL trophy.
RCB’s journey to the IPL 2025 title was a testament to resilience and strategic reinvention. Under the leadership of captain Rajat Patidar and the guidance of head coach Andy Flower, supported by batting coach Dinesh Karthik and performance director Mo Bobat, RCB transformed from a star-heavy outfit to a balanced, role-specific unit. The team’s remarkable turnaround saw them finish second in the points table, win all seven away games—a first in IPL history—and secure a Qualifier 1 berth with a thrilling chase of 228 against Lucknow Super Giants.
In the final against PBKS, RCB posted 190/8 in 20 overs, with Kohli top-scoring with a crucial 43 off 35 balls. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, RCB’s total proved just enough, thanks to disciplined bowling from Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/38), Krunal Pandya (2/17), and Josh Hazlewood, who held their nerve in the death overs. PBKS fell short at 184/7, despite a valiant 61 not out from Shashank Singh, who smashed 22 runs in the final over but couldn’t bridge the gap.
The victory sparked emotional scenes, with Kohli in tears, embraced by teammates and former RCB greats AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, who joined the celebrations.
Virat Kohli’s association with RCB since the IPL’s inception in 2008 is a story of loyalty, perseverance, and unparalleled excellence. The only player to represent a single franchise across all 18 seasons, Kohli has been RCB’s flagbearer, amassing over 9,000 runs in IPL and Champions League T20 combined, including eight centuries—the most by any batter in the tournament’s history. His 2025 season was another masterclass, finishing third among run-scorers with 657 runs at an average of 54.75, including six half-centuries, five of which came in RCB victories. Kohli’s impact in IPL 2025 extended beyond numbers. While he did not take up the captaincy—passing the baton to Rajat Patidar—he remained the team’s emotional and tactical anchor. His leadership on the field, mentoring younger players, and setting a high-performance culture were instrumental in RCB’s success. In the final, his 43 off 35, alongside Phil Salt’s brisk start, provided the foundation for RCB’s competitive total. Kohli’s ability to anchor innings and chase targets, honed over years as the “Chase Master,” was evident in key matches like the 9-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals, where he scored an unbeaten fifty, and the record-breaking chase against LSG, where his 50 off 27 balls set the tone.
The IPL 2025 title was a deeply personal triumph for Kohli, who had faced criticism for RCB’s prolonged title drought despite his individual brilliance. Having led RCB from 2013 to 2021, including a final appearance in 2016 where he scored a record 973 runs, Kohli had come agonizingly close to glory before. His emotional post-match words captured the weight of the moment: “I never thought this day would come. I’ve given every ounce of my energy to this team. This means so much to me.” He added, “This is far more special than winning it with anyone else, because my heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore.” Kohli’s journey with RCB began as a 19-year-old prodigy fresh off captaining India to the 2008 U-19 World Cup title. Despite a modest start, RCB’s decision to retain him in 2011 over stalwarts like Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis proved visionary. His growth into a global cricketing icon, coupled with his unwavering commitment to RCB, made the 2025 victory a fitting capstone.
As he kissed the trophy amidst a sea of fans donning his No. 18 jersey, Kohli’s emotional embrace with wife Anushka Sharma and his leap into commentator Ravi Shastri’s arms became iconic moments of the season.
While Kohli was the emotional core, RCB’s triumph was a collective effort. Rajat Patidar’s calm leadership, Jitesh Sharma’s explosive 85 off 33 in the LSG chase, Krunal Pandya’s all-round heroics (17 wickets and a match-winning knock), and Josh Hazlewood’s 18 wickets, including a match-defining final over, were pivotal. The auction strategy, shaped by Flower, Karthik, and Bobat, prioritized role-specific players like Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar over chasing big names, a departure from RCB’s “Galactico” era of relying heavily on Kohli, de Villiers, and Gayle. This balanced squad, coupled with a fearless mindset, enabled RCB to overcome historical rivals like Chennai Super Kings and chase down daunting totals.
RCB’s 2025 triumph, dubbed “Ee Saala Cup Namdu” (This time, the cup is ours), fulfilled a long-standing promise to their passionate fanbase. For Kohli, it was the final jewel in a glittering career that includes a 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup, and two Champions Trophies. His emotional reflection—“If we don’t win, I’m not going to go to my grave thinking, ‘Only if I had won the IPL’”—underscored his perspective, but the tears and joy in Ahmedabad revealed how much this victory meant.
As RCB returned to Bengaluru for a victory parade, Kohli’s words resonated: “I’m going to feel the real side of it when we celebrate this with the city.” For a franchise and a player who weathered 18 years of near-misses, the IPL 2025 title was not just a trophy—it was a testament to loyalty, grit, and the unyielding pursuit of a dream. Virat Kohli, the boy who joined RCB in 2008, stood tall as the man who delivered their greatest moment.
