Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Growing up in a small town in Bihar during the early 90s, life was simple. Entertainment meant a Weston black-and-white TV with just one government channel. The concept of a remote control didn’t exist — kids like me were assigned to adjust volume and switch channels manually. That’s how I first discovered India’s four metropolises — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai — thanks to the 8:30 PM news bulletin. But Bangalore was never mentioned. It wasn’t yet a “mahanagar” in our world.
Bangalore – The City That Was Just a Chapter in a Textbook
For a small-town kid in Bihar, Bangalore (or Bengaluru, as we now know it) was part of the undefined South — generally clubbed with “Madras”. In our social science books, Bangalore was described as the “City of Gardens”, known for good weather and dosas. We didn’t know then that this very city would become the dream destination for every aspiring engineer, including me. It would eventually become my karmabhoomi, and unknowingly, the birthplace of my loyalty to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Settling in Bengaluru — Becoming an RCB Fan by Default
After cracking entrance exams, I moved to Bengaluru — the city of IT dreams, endless PGs, and Silk Board traffic. In a land where my native cricket team didn’t exist, it was only natural to adopt Royal Challengers Bengaluru as my team. It wasn’t just about cricket; it was about identity. It was about finding a place where you belonged — and RCB was that emotional anchor. My loyalty was born the day I first said, “Ee sala cup namde.”
The Magical Phrase That Needed No Translation
“Ee sala cup namde” — a simple Kannada phrase that every non-Kannadiga in the city embraced. It was a cheat code to local acceptance, a way to blend in. You didn’t need to speak perfect Kannada — if you could chant this with enough emotion, you were automatically an RCB insider. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru fan base wasn’t just a sports community; it was a cultural phenomenon that united people from across India.
18 Years of Dreams and Disappointments
Every IPL season, we wore our red jerseys, filled up Chinnaswamy Stadium, chanted until our throats hurt — only to be let down. From the days of Vijay Mallya’s flashy branding to new ownerships and new captains, nothing changed. The heartbreaks piled up. Yet, we never stopped believing. Royal Challengers Bengaluru became a symbol of resilience, the kind you don’t give up on, even when the world laughs at you.
Virat Kohli: The Warrior Who Never Walked Away
Virat Kohli wasn’t just a player; he was the emotional compass of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He gave the franchise his blood, sweat, and soul. While others changed teams, Kohli stayed. Through failure, trolling, and frustration — he held the flag high. For 18 seasons, he carried the burden of expectations without flinching. He grew up with RCB — as a man, a husband, a father, and finally, a winner.
2025: When the Curse Finally Broke
When Josh Hazlewood bowled the 19.3 delivery in the IPL 2025 final, and victory was sealed, it wasn’t just a cricket match ending. It was a generational curse lifting. Kohli cried. Anushka cried. And so did we. The chant had finally changed — from “namde” (will be ours) to “namdu” (is ours). The streets of Bengaluru turned red with joy. It felt like Royal Challengers Bengaluru had gifted its people not just a trophy, but emotional closure.
The City Deserved This Moment
Bengaluru — a city that gives so much to India in the form of DRDO, HAL, ISRO, BEL — finally got something in return. It wasn’t just a sports win; it was a cultural reset. It was poetic justice. The underdog city, often forgotten in the shadow of Delhi and Mumbai, got to roar on the national stage. And Royal Challengers Bengaluru, often mocked, now stood tall with pride.
A Message to Every IPL Fan
Many fans had lost interest in IPL due to scripted content, lack of super overs, and retired superstars. But RCB’s real-life fairy tale reminded the world why people fall in love with sports. It’s about long-term loyalty, emotional investment, and hope. The triumph of Royal Challengers Bengaluru recharged the spirit of fandom — and showed that even the most delayed victories are worth the wait.
Kohli’s Final Chapter, And What It Meant
For Kohli, this victory was personal. He didn’t get the grand Test farewell he deserved, but this — this was perfect. He got to end a chapter he started in 2008. He didn’t just lift a trophy; he lifted a generation of fans who had stuck with him through thick and thin. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s win in 2025 isn’t just a sports result — it’s a historical bookmark in the lives of every Indian cricket lover.