Eighteen years of heartbreak. Eighteen years of hope. And on the night of June 3, 2025, it all came rushing out like a dam burst. The moment Josh Hazlewood finished delivering the final ball of the match – sealing Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first-ever IPL title – the city of Bengaluru erupted. Not with chaos, but with unfiltered, joyous madness. The sky lit up with multi-coloured crackers, streets transformed into rivers of red and gold, and the chant that had echoed in hopeful tones for over a decade – Ee Sala Cup Namde – was finally declared with certainty: Ee Sala Cup Namdu.
IPL Final: Report | Highlights
Till Tuesday night, the fevered post-title scenes that cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Jaipur had witnessed remained alien to Bengaluru. For years, despite boasting superstars and star-studded squads, RCB’s trophy cabinet lay bare. But that changed on a historic summer evening when Rajat Patidar’s band of warriors delivered what even Virat Kohli, the franchise’s beating heart, had once feared might elude them – an IPL crown.
From Indiranagar to Koramangala, from MG Road to Brigade Road, the Garden City turned into a vibrant carnival. People poured out of pubs, restaurants, homes, and offices – waving RCB flags, bursting fireworks, singing, crying, hugging, and screaming until their throats ran dry. It was not Diwali. It was not New Year’s Eve. It was something deeper. It was personal.
“The city is waiting. My god. I’m thinking about them. Imagine what the fans must be feeling now, poor ones. Someone sent me a video – the entire city is filled with fireworks. The whole city. It’s very special. I can’t express my feelings. I have to experience it,” an overwhelmed Virat Kohli said, his voice cracking as he took in visuals of his city celebrating.
And celebrate they did. Outside pubs and cafes in hotspots like Church Street and Jayanagar, hundreds had huddled around giant screens, clutching onto hope, clenching fists. And when victory was sealed – emotions erupted. Strangers embraced like long-lost family, crackers soared into the skies, and the anthem of generations – Ee Sala Cup Namde! – roared across the skyline.
“It’s not Diwali, it’s RCB Diwas in Bengaluru!” read one social media post. Another fan shared, “Brigade Road has never looked this alive – 18 years of hope, belief and passion have finally paid off!”
What made it even more special was the way every corner of the city joined the celebration. From building terraces flashing celebratory lights to narrow alleys inside apartment complexes erupting in impromptu dance parties – the city breathed RCB. Entire roads were blocked not in protest, but in dance. Horns blared not in frustration, but in rhythm. Children, parents, grandparents – all united in red, all crying happy tears.
The people had waited too long. They had stood by the franchise when it failed. They had defended the team when memes mocked it. They had believed. On Tuesday, belief turned to bliss.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah summed up the collective emotion as he wrote on X: “From electrifying performances to unshakable spirit, this triumph has ignited the pride of Karnataka and thrilled fans across the world.”
And it wasn’t just dignitaries or celebrities – the soul of the celebration belonged to the common fan. Youngsters on bikes waved flags with uncontainable pride. Families in hatchbacks honked their way through traffic just to chant RCB! RCB! on the roads. Some stood for hours outside bars just to glimpse the final overs, others climbed walls to find a screen – they braved the evening chill, the crowded streets, and the late hours. And they were rewarded with history.
They will now gear up to welcome their champions on Wednesday, and you can bet the reception will be nothing short of spectacular. Bengaluru has turned green this monsoon, but for a few precious days, it will bleed red – the colour of pride, belief, and finally, of victory.
Because this time, the Cup is theirs.
Ee Sala Cup Namdu. Finally.
