It took 18 years, but it finally happened. Jersey No.18 finally got his hands on the coveted Indian Premier League trophy after Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the 2025 final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The 36-year-old Virat Kohli, who has been performing season after season and was often left heartbroken as RCB crashed and burned several times in the past, finally became an IPL champion.
After coming close in 2009, 2011, and 2016, the story was completely different in 2025. Unlike previous seasons, RCB put in a completely rounded team performance. The change in strategy paid off, and RCB has a trophy to show in its cabinet for that. There was no overdependence on Kohli in the 18th edition of the IPL, as the focus was on team performance and the other members stepping up.
It is no surprise that Kohli broke down as soon as Josh Hazlewood delivered the final ball of the game, which Shashank Singh hit for a six. Once the final ball was bowled, Kohli fell to the ground and struggled to fight back tears as RCB sealed the contest by six runs. In fact, the first signs of Kohli overcoming emotions emerged when RCB had ensured the win. With 30 needed off the last over, once Hazlewood kept Shashank quiet, the realisation hit. Despite four balls to go, Kohli covered his face with his hands. The next time the camera panned towards him, his eyes were red and moist. And that did it.
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Once the formalities were over, the entire RCB team came running towards him, the whole contingent sharing a group hug. Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya and Jitesh Sharma all charged towards Kohli to celebrate the special achievement. After the win, Hazlewood, Jitesh, and Dinesh Karthik spoke about how the team wanted to win it for Kohli, who has been associated with RCB since the tournament’s inception.
The achievement is all the more special for Kohli as he has played for just one franchise in all 18 editions of the tournament. The batter has performed consistently over the years. However, somehow, the franchise failed to win the tournament. This constant failure led to RCB getting trolled mercilessly. At last, though, the agonising wait came to an end for Kohli and RCB.
Virat Kohli hugs AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle
As soon as the match was won, RCB legends AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle couldn’t help but rush onto the field to celebrate with Kohli.
Kohli also brought his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, to the middle to celebrate the end of RCB’s title drought.
In the final against Punjab Kings, Kohli scored 43 runs off 35 balls, and this knock helped propel RCB to 190/9 in their 20 overs. Krunal Pandya then returned with two wickets as RCB won the contest by six runs. It was Romario Shephard who took the crucial wicket of Shreyas Iyer. As soon as the PBKS captain was dismissed, RCB got their noses in front, and the Bengaluru-based franchise marched ahead with confidence.
