Virat Kohli, the face of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for nearly two decades, finally lived the moment he had waited 18 years for. On a glittering night in Ahmedabad, surrounded by roaring fans, Kohli let his emotions flow freely as RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in a nail-biting final.

Kohli, who has been synonymous with RCB since the tournament’s inception in 2008, was seen sinking his face into his hands during the early moments of the final over, as the win looked almost certain. Moments later, when the victory was confirmed, he plunged to the ground, overwhelmed, and wept tears of joy.

The 36-year-old star batter, who had shouldered the hopes of millions of RCB fans for nearly two decades, finally saw his dream realised. And as poetic as it could be, jersey No. 18 — which he has donned since the beginning — now holds a place in RCB history for being part of their first IPL triumph.

“Now I can sleep like a baby,” Kohli said after the win. “I’ve waited a long time for this. There were times I thought it may never come, but this moment makes everything worth it.”

The match itself was a thriller worthy of a grand finale. RCB chased down 190, set by Punjab Kings, with remarkable grit and strategy. While Kohli didn’t play the match-winning knock, his presence, leadership, and raw emotion throughout the game were unmistakable.

Kohli has been the heartbeat of RCB for years — through highs and crushing lows. From leading the team during challenging seasons to stepping down as captain in 2021 to focus on his batting, he’s seen it all. Yet, until now, the elusive IPL trophy had remained just out of reach.

RCB fans, many of whom have remained loyal year after year, took to social media to celebrate what many called a “historic and emotional moment”. Hashtags like #RCBWinIPL and #ViratKohliLegend trended within minutes of the match ending.

Former players, celebrities, and fellow cricketers also congratulated Kohli and the team. Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar tweeted:

“A richly deserved win for RCB and a beautiful moment for @imVkohli. His passion and commitment have been unwavering.”

For RCB, the victory is more than just a title — it’s a symbol of persistence, heartbreak, loyalty, and redemption. Through multiple seasons where they came close but fell short — including heartbreaking final defeats and playoff exits — the team now finally owns the night.

Kohli, who has lifted almost every major international cricket honour with India, including the 2011 World Cup, had long stated that an IPL title with RCB was one of his unfulfilled dreams. That box now stands ticked, and perhaps, most meaningfully, as he enters the latter stages of his cricketing career.

The post-match celebrations were as intense as the game itself. Kohli was hoisted by his teammates, the trophy sparkled under the stadium lights, and fans stayed back long after the final ball had been bowled. Chants of “Ee Sala Cup Namde” — a phrase that had turned into a running joke over the years — finally came true.

What stood out even more was the raw human side of Kohli. Known for his aggression on the field, his ability to wear his heart on his sleeve was on full display — whether it was in his quiet tears, his tight hugs with teammates, or the long gaze at the trophy he had dreamed about for so long.

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