New Delhi: Virat had won everything there was to win, both individually and collectively, but the heartache of not crossing the final hurdle in the Indian Premier League (IPL) became the source of his agony for 18 years. For a winner like Kohli, who hates to lose, the pain of falling at the final hurdle thrice in 2009, 2011 and 2016 must have been unbearable.
Kohli, though, used the losses as a motivator and became even more determined to break the duck. His resilience, hard work, determination and never-say-die attitude finally paid off nine years after reaching his last final as RCB finally ended the title curse on their fourth attempt.
The Challengers trumped the Kings by six runs in a thrilling finale at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to end an 18-year-long wait for IPL glory.
Kohli’s 18-year wait for IPL glory ends
Sent into bat, RCB struggled to find the flourish with the bat but still posted a good total of 190/9 in 20 overs. The total did not look enough at the break, especially after Punjab Kings ended strongly to restrict the Challengers below the 200-run mark.
But a dogged effort from their bowlers sent panic across the PBKS batting line-up as the scoreboard pressure eventually brought down the curtains to their campaign.
Things would have become interesting if Shashank Singh had faced two dot balls at the start of the final over, which was bowled by Hazlewood. But with 29 needed in six balls, Shashank’s blazing 20 off the last four balls was too little, too late.
Shashank’s 61 not out off 30 balls (3x4s, 6x6s) raised some hopes in the PBKS camp, but Punjab Kings eventually fell six runs short, ending at 184 for seven.
When Kohli’s best was not enough, but RCB no longer a one-man team
Kohli has experienced several heartbreaks despite playing some of his best knocks, but today was a day when even one of his forgettable innings in his career brought the title home.
Among Kohli’s several big achievements, his 973-run campaign in IPL 2016 remains the highest single-season tally by a batter, but even the superhuman-like performance was not enough to prevent the heartbreak as RCB agonisingly lost the final to SRH by 8 runs.
Even though Kohli finished third in the Orange Cap list with 647 runs in IPL 2025, his knock in the final was an uncomfortable sight for even the RCB fans. Known for his positive and aggressive approach, Kohli was timid and extra-cautious and showed no intent to take the game to the opposition.
In this day and age of slam-bang T20 action, opening batters generally reach the three-figure mark if they stay at the crease for 15 overs, but Kohli only managed 43 runs off 35 balls. His poor strike rate of 122.85 and the number of boundaries (3) could have been the cause of another heartbreak, but unlike the previous occasions, he had support.
Jitesh Sharma (24 off 8) and Romario Shephered (17 off 9) provided a late flourish to help RCB reach a decent total of 190/9 in 20 overs. The bowling department backed up their good work and kept taking wickets at regular intervals, including the prized scalp of PBKS skipper Sheryas Iyer for just 1, squeezing the life out of PBKS’ run chase.
Like several previous seasons, Kohli displayed his brilliance throughout the season, but unlike the past, when he carried the team single-handedly and found little support from his teammates, every team member played their part perfectly.
RCB’s long-awaited win and Kohli’s crowning were long due. The Bengaluru fans can finally say what they have been waiting to say for the last 18 years: “Ee saala cup namdu”.
Virat Kohli finally achieved IPL glory with RCB after an 18-year wait, overcoming three previous final losses. RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling final, overcoming a slow start with the bat. Kohli’s performance wasn’t his best, but the team’s collective effort secured the victory, ending a long period of heartbreak for Kohli and RCB fans. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
