Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in the IPL 2025 Final on Tuesday (June 3) to end their 18-year long wait for a maiden IPL trophy.
Invited to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium, RCB posted 190/9 on the board. While Virat Kohli was the top scorer with 35-ball 43, the likes of Rajat Patidar (26 off 16), Liam Livingstone (25 off 15) and Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10) made valuable contributions with the bat.
Defending the total, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-38 in 4 overs) and Krunal Pandya (2-17 in 4 overs) bowled magical spells to stop PBKS at 184/7 in 20 overs.
After the historic triumph, RCB talisman Kohli was seen teaching his former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle how to say, ‘Ee Saala Cup Namdu’ (This time, the cup is ours).
De Villiers spent 11 years of his cricketing career at RCB between 2011 and 2021, while Gayle served the Bengaluru-based franchise for seven years between 2011 and 2017.
In the interview, Kohli thanked them for giving their best to RCB, saying the three of them tried to win it many times for the team and that the 2025 title was as much theirs as it was his.
When the conversation shifted to the popular RCB phrase of, ‘Ee Saala Cup Namde’ (This time, the cup will be ours), Kohli decided to correct them by saying now ‘it was done’.
Here’s the video:
Soon after RCB’s title win, Virat Kohli spoke to Matthew Hayden and shared his immediate feelings, admitting that he never thought of experiencing this moment.
“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. I've given this team my youth, prime and experience. Tried to win it every season, gave it everything I can. Never thought this day would come, was overcome with emotion after we won,” Kohli said.
The 36-year-old also spoke about his loyalty for RCB and what I meant for him win the IPL title after such a long wait.
“This win is right up there, I've stayed loyal to this team. I had moments otherwise, but I stayed with them and them with me. My heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. This is a high-intensity tournament, I want to win the big tournaments and moments. Tonight, I'll sleep like a baby,” Kohli remarked.
“I look for ways to improve, I want to field and make an impact there. God's blessed me with perspective and talent. Just put my head down and worked as heart as I can. In the auction, people questioned our tactics but we were happy with what we had. Management kept us positive, the players were amazing. This moment is the best I've had and it still marks five levels under Test, I'd urge youngsters to give your heart and soul to it and that's what'll give you respect,” he concluded.
