New Delhi: An 18-year-long wait finally ended Tuesday as Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their maiden Indian Premier League trophy, and fans are obviously ecstatic.
After nearly two decades of heartbreak, close calls, and the infamous “Ee Sala Cup Namde (this year the cup is ours)” memes, RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium by six runs. Krunal Pandya won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his clutch performance in the middle overs. In the four overs he bowled, Pandya conceded only 17 runs and scalped two wickets.
Social media overflowed with emotional tributes to Virat Kohli, and the moment every RCB fan had dreamt of—the team finally lifting the IPL trophy.
Celebrations erupted In Bengaluru as fans hit the streets and fireworks lit up the skies. “Happy Diwali Bengaluru. Congratulations RCB,” read a post on X, with a video clip of the night sky. “Party time in Bengaluru,” wrote another user.
Happy Diwali in Bengaluru
Congratulations RCB pic.twitter.com/UemuUtn0a1
— Hardik Bhavsar (@Bitt2DA) June 3, 2025
Deepawali in Bengaluru 😂💥
Congrats RCB ♥️#RCBvPBKS #IPLFinals pic.twitter.com/oL3yFLNfkR
— 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙞⚡ (@ChingariTweetz) June 3, 2025
Congratulations @RCBTweets @imVkohli and all RCB Fans ❤️
You deserve it all !!✨
It’s Diwali going on in Bengaluru rn 🔥#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/WaxWRQad1z
— Ambikesh 🗿 (@ambidentate88) June 3, 2025
Party Time in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/7CFJJhptgV
— 𝙎 🪽 (@TheGaffer_86) June 3, 2025
Kohli’s tears of joy
As RCB sealed the victory with the last few balls of the match still pending, 36-year-old Kohli was visibly driven to tears. It was a deeply emotional culmination to a career-long pursuit, marking a moment of redemption and fulfillment for one of cricket’s greatest. As Josh Hazlewood delivered the last ball, Kohli dropped to his knees.
Speaking in the post-match presentation, the RCB icon reflected on his long journey, telling broadcasters that he had given the franchise his “prime, youth, and experience” through the years.
“And I’ve tried to win this every season that I come. And I’ve given everything I have. And to finally have this moment come, it’s an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotion as soon as the last ball was bowled in. It means so much to me. I’ve just, as I said, given each and every ounce of my energy to this team. And finally having won the IPL, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Social media platforms X and Instagram were flooded with reactions, with the latter even crashing momentarily as hundreds of thousands of users rushed to express their joy. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Instagram account also crashed, minutes after the victory.
WE’VE LITERALLY CRASHED INSTAGRAM.
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 3, 2025
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, an ardent cricket fan, took to X to congratulate the team for “a historic IPL triumph”. “From electrifying performances to unshakable spirit, this triumph has ignited the pride of Karnataka and thrilled fans across the world,” he wrote.
Congratulations to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on a historic IPL triumph! 🏆
The dream has finally come true – Ee Sala Cup Namde! 🔥
From electrifying performances to unshakable spirit, this triumph has ignited the pride of Karnataka and thrilled fans across the world.#RCB… pic.twitter.com/211hd1lTsq
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) June 3, 2025
Cricket commentator Aakash Chopra wrote, “Kaun kehta hai adhura ishq mukammal nahi hota…RCB is the IPL champion.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also congratulated RCB. “Well done, @RCBTweets! A thrilling end to a season full of surprises. @imVkohli, you have carried this dream for years and tonight, the crown truly suits you. #KingKohli Expecting a strong comeback from @ChennaiIPL next season.”
Well done, @RCBTweets! A thrilling end to a season full of surprises.@imVkohli, you have carried this dream for years and tonight, the crown truly suits you. #KingKohli 👑
Expecting a strong comeback from @ChennaiIPL next season.#IPLfinal #IPL2025 #RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/sOLvpS21rU
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 3, 2025
Fugitive businessman and former RCB owner Vijay Mallya also posted on the squad’s triumph.
“RCB are IPL Champions finally after 18 years. Superb campaign right through the 2025 tournament. A well balanced team Playing Bold with outstanding coaching and support staff. Many congratulations ! Ee sala cup namde!!” 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…
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) June 3, 2025
Fan edits with dramatic music are trending across Instagram, clocking views in lakhs and millions.
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Also Read: Kohli’s dogged batting, Patidar’s captaincy & the season that ended RCB’s 18-yr wait for an IPL win