Virat Kohli’s Wait Finally Ends as Royal Challengers Bangalore Clinch Maiden IPL Title After 18 Years

Ahmedabad:After **18 years of heartbreaks and near-misses**, **Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)**, led by a visibly emotional **Virat Kohli**, have finally won their **first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL)** title. RCB defeated **Punjab Kings** by **6 runs** in the **IPL 2025 final** held at the **Narendra Modi Stadium** in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night.

This marks a historic moment not just for the franchise, but also for **Virat Kohli**, who has been part of RCB since the league’s inception in **2008**, playing **18 consecutive seasons** without lifting the trophy—until now.

Batting first, RCB scored **190 runs for 9 wickets** in their allotted 20 overs, which was notably the **lowest first-innings total at the venue this season**. Kohli top-scored with a crucial **43-run knock**, anchoring the innings during a challenging pitch condition.

In response, Punjab Kings fell just short, managing **184 for 7 in 20 overs**, handing RCB a **6-run victory** and their long-awaited **maiden IPL title**.

As the final wicket fell, **Kohli was overcome with emotion**, with tears in his eyes as he celebrated the moment that had eluded him for nearly two decades.

RCB fans across the globe erupted in celebration as the franchise finally broke the jinx and lifted the **IPL trophy**, fulfilling a dream that began in **2008**.