It finally happened. After 18 long years of heartbreak and hope, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have won their first-ever IPL title. And in the most poetic twist, it happened in the 18th edition of the league, led by the man in jersey no.18 — Virat Kohli.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar wasted no time in tipping his hat to Kohli. Moments after RCB clinched a thrilling 6-run win over Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad, Tendulkar posted a classy tribute on X:
Congratulations to @RCBTweets on their first-ever IPL title. Fitting that jersey no. 18 lifts the trophy in the 18th edition.
Well played and well deserved! 🏆 👏🏽
Well played to @PunjabKingsIPL as well for a well-fought season.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 3, 2025
For fans, this wasn’t just a win. It was closure. It was reward. And yes, it was karma.
And for Kohli? It’s a full-circle moment. He’s been with RCB since 2008. That’s 17 years of grinding, growing, and giving his everything. As he said after the win:
“I have given my youth, my prime. I gave it everything. I never thought this day would come.”
Every cricket fan—RCB or not—felt that.
The Final: A Tightrope Walk
RCB put up 190/9, with Kohli scoring a steady 43 off 35. Punjab fought hard in reply. Shashank Singh’s blistering 61 off 30 balls* nearly stole it, but Krunal Pandya’s brilliant spell (2/17) sealed the deal.
It wasn’t just Kohli’s moment. RCB’s bowlers, bench, and belief played their part. But as always, the spotlight found its way to Virat.
He finished the season with 657 runs in 15 matches, RCB’s top scorer and third overall. And then, in a perfect gesture, he invited AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle — RCB’s other icons — to lift the trophy with him.
A Nod from the Master Blaster
When Sachin Tendulkar praises you, it hits different. The original no.10 recognizing the new no.18. It felt like a passing of the torch. Or more accurately — a salute from a king to a warrior who never gave up.
For a country that lives and breathes cricket, this moment wasn’t just about RCB. It was about persistence, patience, and pride.
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