Royal Challengers Bengaluru – The Glory And Grief Of IPL 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) created history on June 3, 2025, by winning their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title. Led by batter Rajat Patidar, RCB defeated table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The victory was particularly emotional for Virat Kohli, who dedicated 18 years to the franchise, finally lifting the elusive IPL trophy amid tears of joy from players and fans alike.

Adding to the celebrations, former RCB stars AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle joined the current squad, creating unforgettable moments for fans. Both de Villiers and Gayle have long been part of the franchise’s legacy, and their presence elevated the emotional weight of the historic triumph. The victory parade and celebrations were eagerly awaited by supporters across Bengaluru.

RCB’s success this season was driven by strategic planning and astute team management. The franchise focused on fresh talent such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, and Liam Livingstone, bypassing bigger names like Jos Buttler and Arshdeep Singh. With Rajat Patidar as captain, RCB won nine of 14 league matches, followed by victories in Qualifier 1 and the final against PBKS, also becoming the first team to win all their away league matches in a single IPL season.

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Virat Kohli’s contributions were central to RCB’s campaign, scoring 657 runs in 15 matches, including eight half-centuries. Joining the franchise in 2008, Kohli has been the heart of RCB, lifting the team’s profile over nearly two decades. His leadership and batting prowess helped RCB finally achieve the title that had eluded them for years, cementing his legacy in IPL history.

However, celebrations turned tragic on June 4, when a stampede broke out outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the victory parade. Nearly 2.5 lakh fans had gathered to celebrate, resulting in 11 deaths and numerous injuries. The incident shocked the nation, raising serious questions about event management. RCB later announced Rs 25 lakh compensation for each affected family, with Kohli expressing deep sorrow and support for the victims.

The tragedy has left a lasting impact on Bengaluru as a cricketing venue. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has not hosted any matches since, and the city lost the chance to host the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final. Pune has offered to host RCB home games for IPL 2026, providing a potential fresh start for the franchise. As RCB looks ahead, the team aims to rebuild and continue its journey, balancing ambition with safety and responsibility.

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