Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) celebrated their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title win at a felicitation event organized by the Karnataka State Cricket Association at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. Star batter Virat Kohli praised captain Rajat Patidar’s leadership and the team’s loyal fanbase during the ceremony.“It is no more ee saala cup naam de (This year Cup will be ours), but ee saala cup naam du (This year cup is ours). This one is for you, fans, for this beautiful city, who have supported us for all these 18 years through thick and thin. I have never seen a fanbase like this anywhere in this world,” Kohli expressed during the ceremony.Kohli also revealed that during the RCB Unbox event, where the team’s new jersey and captain were unveiled, he had predicted Patidar’s long-term leadership potential. “Give him the loudest cheer, as he has proven himself in his first season as a captain,” he added.Patidar scored 312 runs in 14 matches at an average of 24.00, including two fifties, while demonstrating effective tactical decisions and bowler rotation throughout the season.Kohli emerged as the franchise’s leading run-scorer and ranked third overall in the tournament with 657 runs in 15 matches, maintaining an average of 54.75 and a strike rate exceeding 144, including eight fifties.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar shared his excitement with ANI: “The whole of Karnataka is excited. From the young generation to the old generation, everyone is happy. After a long wait of 18 years, we have got success. I congratulate Kohli for standing like a rock and appreciate his loyalty towards Karnataka. I hope this is the beginning, and the cup remains with RCB.”Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot stated: “Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the IPL 2025 trophy. On behalf of the Karnataka government and the public, I congratulate them. May they continue to play like this and make Karnataka and the nation proud.”Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?In the final match, PBKS won the toss and chose to field. Arshdeep Singh (3/40) and Kyle Jamieson (3/48) provided crucial breakthroughs, while Yuzi Chahal (1/37) contained the batting.Kohli scored 43 runs off 35 balls with three fours, while Patidar (26 in 16 balls), Jitesh Sharma (24 in 10 balls), and Liam Livingstone (25 in 15 balls) contributed to RCB’s total of 190/9 in 20 overs.
PBKS’s chase began strongly with Priyansh Arya (24 in 19 balls) and Prabhsimran (26 in 22 balls) forming a 43-run partnership.Josh Inglis (39 in 23 balls) and Shashank Singh (61- in 30 balls) fought hard to keep up with the required rate, but Krunal Pandya (2/17), Yash Dayal (1/18), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/38) restricted PBKS to 184/7.Despite Shashank Singh’s impressive 22-run final over when needing 29, PBKS fell short in their second-ever final and first in 11 years, while RCB secured their maiden IPL title.
