Eighteen years of heart break. Eighteen years of hope. And on the night of June 3, 2025, it all started like a dam. When Josh Hazlewood ended and delivered the last ball of the match – closing the first title IPL Bengaluru – the city of Bengalur broke out. Not with chaos, but with unfiltered, joyful madness. The sky turned on with multicolored biscuits, the streets turned into red and golden rivers, and the singing, which came in promising tones for more than ten years – EE Sala Cup Namde – was finally declared with certainty: EE Sala Cup Namdu.
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Until Tuesday evening, there were fever after the headline, such as cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Calcutta, Hyderabad and Jaipur, witnessed Bengaluru. For years, despite the boast of superstars and star units, there was a trophy wardrobe of RCB bare. But that turned into a historic summer evening when Rajat Patidar’s Band of Warriors released what even a virat Kohli, a franchise beating, once feared they could escape them – the IPL crown.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Royal Challengers Bengaluru adjusts its first #Ipl title; Fan says, “We literally waited 18 years for this one cup and we won … it’s not just a cup for us.” pic.twitter.com/petbgidbxw– Years (@ani) June 3, 2025
From Indianagar to Koramangala, from MG Road on Brigade Road, the garden city has turned into a pulsating carnival. People poured out of pubs, restaurants, houses and offices – waving RCB flags, bursting fireworks, singing, crying, hugging and screaming until their throat applied. It wasn’t Diwali. It wasn’t New Year’s Eve. It was something deeper. It was personal.
“The city is waiting. My God. I’m thinking about them. Imagine what fans must feel now, poor.
And celebrate that they did. Outside the pubs and cafes in Hotspots like Church Street and Jayanagar, hundreds of giant screens were huddled, gripped at hope and fists clenched. And when the victory was sealed – emotions broke out. Foreigners accepted as a long -lost family, biscuits climbed to heaven and anthem of generations – EE Sala Cup Namde! – he yelled through the panorama.
“It’s not Diwali, it’s RCB Diwas in Bengalur!” Read one post on social media. Another fan shared: “Brigade Road never looked alive – 18 years of hope, faith and passion finally paid off!”
What was even more particularly particularly particularlyits was the way every corner of the city joined to celebrate. From building terraces flashing ceremonial lights to narrow streets inside the housing complexes exploding in improvised dance parties – the city exhaled RCB. The whole roads were not blocked on the protest, but in the dance. The corners were not frustrated, but in rhythm. Children, parents, grandparents – all united in red, all crying happy tears.
People have been waiting for too long. When they failed, they stood at the franchise. They defended the team when it was ridiculed. They believed. On Tuesday, faith turned to bliss.
The Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah summed up collective emotions when he wrote on X: “From electrifying power to unshakable spirit, this triumph lit the pride of Karnataka and enthusiastic fans around the world.”
And it was not just a dignitaries or celebrities – the soul of the celebration belonged to a common fan. The youth on the bikes waved the flags with unattractive pride. Families in Hatchbacks have gone through the traffic just to sing RCB! RCB! on the roads. Some stood for hours at the bars, just to see the final crossing, others climbed on the wall to find the screen – to take the evening cold, crowded streets and late hours. And they were rewarded with history.
Now they will be welcomed on Wednesday to welcome their champions, and you can bet that the reception will be nothing spectacular. Bengaluru this monsoon became greenery, but for a few rare days he will bleed red – the color of pride, faith and finally victory.
Because this time the cup is theirs.
EE SALA CUP NAMDU. Finally.
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
June 4, 2025
