For years, fans of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have shouted, “Ee Sala Cup Namde!”—which means “This year, the cup is ours!” And after 16 long seasons, in IPL 2025, that dream finally came true.
RCB, one of the most followed and loved teams in the Indian Premier League, won their first-ever IPL title—and it wasn’t just a win. It was a story of hard work, belief, and pure passion. In this article, we’ll walk you through RCB’s journey to the trophy, the key players, important moments, and how the dream finally became a reality.
⚡ A Team Known for Big Names, Bigger Dreams
From the start of the IPL in 2008, RCB has always had some of the biggest cricketing superstars—Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and more. Their matches were always full of excitement, boundaries, and drama.
But there was one problem: they never won the IPL.
Despite reaching the finals three times (2009, 2011, and 2016), they always fell short. The team became known as “always the entertainers, never the champions.” But that didn’t stop the fans. In fact, RCB has one of the most loyal fan bases in the IPL. Every season, the hope stayed alive.
🛤️ The Build-Up to 2025 – A New Beginning
Things started to change around 2023–2024. The management made smarter auction picks. The team began to focus not only on star players but also on team balance—which had always been a weakness.
Some key decisions:
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Retaining Virat Kohli, even after he stepped down as captain.
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Building the middle order with consistent Indian players.
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Investing in young fast bowlers and overseas all-rounders.
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Strengthening the bowling attack, which had let them down in the past.
These moves laid the foundation for something special in 2025.
👊 IPL 2025 – The Season RCB Got It Right
The 2025 IPL season began like any other—but fans could feel something different. RCB looked more focused, more balanced, and more united.
Here’s how their season unfolded:
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✅ Strong Start: RCB won 4 out of their first 5 matches. Kohli looked in top form from the beginning.
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🔄 Mid-Season Setback: A couple of losses mid-season tested the team’s spirit. But instead of falling apart, they bounced back stronger.
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🔥 Late Surge: RCB finished in the top two on the points table. This gave them an extra chance in the playoffs.
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🧠 Smart Strategy: The team made good use of impact players, rotated bowlers smartly, and had a strong backup plan.
RCB showed something that had often been missing before—calm under pressure.
💥 Star Performers Who Led the Charge
RCB’s 2025 victory wasn’t about just one player—it was a complete team effort. But a few stars stood out:
🏏 Virat Kohli – The Run Machine
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Finished with 657 runs, including multiple fifties and one century.
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Played a crucial knock in the final.
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Proved once again why he’s the heart of RCB.
🔥 Mohammed Siraj – The Wicket Taker
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Led the bowling attack from the front.
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Took key wickets in powerplays and death overs.
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Became one of the top wicket-takers of the season.
🚀 Glenn Maxwell – The Game-Changer
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Provided fireworks in the middle overs.
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Chipped in with crucial overs as a bowler.
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Was fearless and unpredictable—just what RCB needed.
🧠 Faf du Plessis – The Calm Leader
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Even though he was no longer the captain, Faf played a mentor’s role.
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Scored runs when needed and helped guide younger players.
🎯 The Playoff Journey – Staying Cool Under Pressure
With a top-two finish in the league stage, RCB entered the playoffs full of confidence. But, as every fan knows, the playoffs are a whole new game. One bad day, and everything can fall apart.
✅ Qualifier 1 – Learning from Mistakes
RCB faced Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1. It was a close match, but a few missed chances cost them. They lost, but the team didn’t panic.
Instead, they went back, reviewed their mistakes, and prepared for the next challenge—Qualifier 2.
🔁 Qualifier 2 – Bouncing Back Strong
This time, they faced Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team in red-hot form. But RCB was ready.
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Kohli scored a brilliant 70 off 42 balls.
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The bowlers, especially Siraj and Karn Sharma, kept things tight in the middle overs.
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RCB won comfortably, booking a spot in the IPL final for the fourth time.
But this time, it felt different. This time, the team looked ready—not just to fight, but to win.
🏆 The Final – RCB’s Golden Moment
The final match was played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with over 1 lakh fans in the stands—and millions more watching around the world.
🆚 Opponent: Rajasthan Royals
RR had a strong squad and had beaten RCB earlier in the season. But this was RCB’s night.
📝 First Innings: RCB Bat First
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Kohli and Gaikwad gave a solid start with a 75-run partnership.
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Glenn Maxwell smashed a quick 47 off 22 balls.
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RCB posted 182/6—a competitive total in a pressure final.
🎯 Second Innings: Tight Bowling & Nerves of Steel
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Siraj got a wicket in the very first over.
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RR tried to fight back, but RCB’s fielding was top-class.
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Harshal Patel bowled the 19th over brilliantly, leaving 14 runs to defend in the final over.
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Yash Dayal held his nerve—and with a dot ball on the final delivery, RCB WON BY 3 RUNS.
The stadium erupted. Players hugged. Fans cried. Years of heartbreak turned into joy in just one night.
😭 Emotions, Cheers & a Dream Come True
As the final ball was bowled, Virat Kohli dropped to his knees. He had waited 16 seasons for this moment. The camera caught him with tears in his eyes—a moment that every cricket fan will remember.
MS Dhoni, watching from the commentary box, smiled. Even rivals celebrated the moment. That’s how much this win meant—not just to RCB, but to the game of cricket itself.
The fans? They flooded the streets. Social media exploded.
The chant changed from “Ee Sala Cup Namde” to “Ee Sala Cup Namdu Aagide!” (This year, the cup is truly ours.)
🏹 What’s Next for RCB?
Now that RCB has finally broken the curse, what’s next?
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Build on momentum – With young players like Rajat Patidar and Reece Topley stepping up, the future looks bright.
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Keep core players – Kohli, Siraj, and Maxwell will still be key going forward.
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Defend the title – Can they do what CSK and MI have done—win more than once?
Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: RCB is no longer the team that couldn’t win. They are champions, and the world will now see them differently.
❤️ Final Words – A Story of Hope & Patience
RCB’s journey to their first IPL title is not just about cricket. It’s about believing in something even when the world laughs at you. It’s about not giving up—even after 16 years of heartbreak.
To every RCB fan who waited, cheered, cried, and hoped—this title is for you.
So, wear your red jersey with pride. Because now, you’re not just a fan of a popular team.
You’re a fan of the 2025 IPL Champions.
Mayank Chaudhary is a former Indian domestic cricketer, now working as a cricket analyst. With years of on-field experience and deep insight into the dynamics of the game and the world of cricket betting, he now shares his expertise to help fellow cricket enthusiasts make smarter, more informed bets. Learn more on the About Me page.