Nothing less than fairy tale, Jersey number 18’s dream finally came true after 18 years.
After years of anticipation and a journey crossing 18 seasons, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has finally engraved their name into Indian Premier League (IPL) history, securing their maiden title.
In a thrilling final RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings by a narrow margin of six runs, culminating in a momentous victory for the franchise and, notably, for their legendary star, Virat Kohli, who has been part of the team as the very first IPL match in April 2008.
Kohli’s unweaving dedication rewarded for 36-year-old Virat Kohli, this championship represents the pinnacle of an illustrious IPL career. Debuting at 19 with a modest score of one run, Kohli has evolved into a cricketing titan, amassing an astounding 8,661 runs at an average of 39.54, featuring eight centuries and 63 half-centuries.
Despite his regular brilliance, an IPL trophy had remained mysterious. He had experienced the bitter taste of defeat in three previous finals with RCB (2009, 2011, and 2016) and captained the team from 2013 to 2021.
In the climatic final, Kohli, the only player to have represented a single franchise thought-out every IPL season, led RCB’s batting charge, contributing a crucial 43 runs off 35 deliveries. His vital innings helped power RCB to a competitive total of 190-9 in their allotted of 20 overs.
Punjab Kings also pursuit of their first IPL championship, put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short, concluding their innings at 184-7.
An emotional outpouring from the Skipper the post-match scenes were filled with raw emotion, particularly from Kohli, who expressed his profound relief and joy. “This win is as far for the fans as it is for the team,” he declared. “It’s been 18 long years I’ve given this team my youth, my prime and my experience. I’ve tried to earn this every season when I come, give it everything I have. I never thought this day would come. This means so much to me. I’ve given each and every ounce of my energy to this team. To have to end won the IPL is a marvelous feeling. I was overcome with emotion as soon as the last ball showdown.”
Opening the innings alongside England’s Phil Salt, Kohli’s valuable contribution set a solid platform for RCB. Salt chipped in with 16 runs from nine balls, while other middle-order batters, including England’s Liam Livingstone (25 runs), made contributions in the mid-20s. Despite their steady scoring, Andy Flower’s team faced a challenge in the final over, as Punjab’s Arshdeep Singh snatched three crucial wickets from his last six deliveries, preventing RCB from crossing the 200-run mark.
In their chase, Punjab Kings encountered early difficulties, finding themselves at 98-4 in the 13th over, losing key batsmen including captain Shreyas for a single run. While Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh attempted a recovery, their hopes were dashed when both Wadhera and the powerful Marcus Stoinis were dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in quick succession. A late flurry from Shashank Singh saw him smash 22 runs from the final four balls, finishing with an unbeaten 61 and bringing his team agonizingly close.
However, his courageous effort ultimately proved insufficient. After 18 seasons and enduring three previous final defeats, Kohli and RCB could finally bask in the glory of a successful IPL campaign.
The IPL title caps off a remarkable period for Kohli, adding to his recent triumphs in the 2024 T20 world Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. His excellent form has been evident in recent years, with an average of over 50 in the last three seasons, including an impressive 54.75 in this championship winning campaign. After 267 matches in the competition, Kohli finally has his hands on the coveted IPL trophy.
Kohli stated, “This is far extra special than winning it with anyone else, for my heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. As I said, this is the team I’m going to play for ’til the last day I play the IPL. As sportsmen we routine for something, and this is a very high-intensity, superior tournament. I’m someone that wants to win the big tournaments, the big moments. This one was missing and tonight I’m going to sleep like a baby.”
