History was made at the Narendra Modi Stadium as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in a thrilling final.
After 18 seasons of heartbreaks and near-misses, RCB finally lifted the IPL trophy, and no one felt the moment more than Virat Kohli, the face of the franchise for nearly two decades. Kohli, who has only ever represented RCB in the IPL, was seen collapsing to his knees in tears as the final ball confirmed their long-awaited victory.
Kohli’s wife, actress Anushka Sharma, was spotted in the stands, overwhelmed with emotion and disbelief. The visuals of Kohli weeping and Anushka clapping with teary eyes quickly went viral, capturing the hearts of fans around the world.
Match Recap: A Final Worthy of the History Books
RCB batted first and posted a competitive 190/9 in 20 overs. It was a balanced effort with key contributions from both the top and middle order.
Punjab Kings, chasing 191 for victory, put up a gritty fight. The game swung in both directions, but the defining moment came in the 17th over. Nehal Wadhera was dismissed on the first ball, and Marcus Stoinis stepped in with 55 runs needed from 22 balls. He smashed a six off his first delivery, but veteran bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a crucial comeback by dismissing Stoinis on the very next ball, which tilted the momentum firmly in RCB’s favour.
Punjab ended at 184/7, falling just six runs short in a nail-biting finish.
RCB’s Road to Glory
RCB had a strong season, finishing second in the league stage. They stormed into the final with an eight-wicket win over top-ranked PBKS in Qualifier 1. Punjab bounced back with a five-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, setting up a much-anticipated rematch for the title.
Skipper Rajat Patidar, leading in Kohli’s presence, had said before the final that the team was determined to win the title for Kohli—and they delivered on that promise.
A Touch of Nostalgia and Brotherhood
Adding to the emotional atmosphere, AB de Villiers, Kohli’s longtime friend and former RCB teammate, was seen cheering from the sidelines. He celebrated animatedly, sharing a fist bump with Kohli after the crucial wicket of Stoinis, symbolising years of shared passion and unfinished dreams finally fulfilled.
Fans Celebrate, Legends Acknowledge
Social media erupted with praise for Kohli and the RCB team. Fans, cricketers, and former players hailed the moment as the “perfect ending to a legendary journey.” Kohli, already considered one of cricket’s greats, added another glorious chapter to his career.
Key Highlights from the Final:
RCB: 190/9 (20 overs)
PBKS: 184/7 (20 overs)
RCB won by 6 runs
Virat Kohli: Emotional after 18 years of loyalty
Rajat Patidar (RCB Captain): Praised for calm leadership
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Game-changing spell in death overs
Anushka Sharma: Tearful reaction goes viral
AB de Villiers: Present for emotional support
