Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress MP, joined the chorus of celebrations that erupted across India and the world following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) historic victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The team's triumph marked the end of an 18-year wait for the coveted trophy, a journey filled with near misses and heartbreak for its devoted fanbase.
Tharoor, who was part of an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation en route to the United States, took to social media platform X to share his excitement. In his post, Tharoor revealed that the first thing he did upon landing in Washington D.C. was to check the IPL final score. He expressed his happiness for Virat Kohli, who has been an integral part of the RCB franchise since its inception and has waited 18 years for the coveted trophy. Tharoor wrote, "First thing I did upon landing in Washington was to check the #IPLFinal score. Very happy for @imVkohli that he #18 laid his hands on the trophy after 18 years of service! Congratulations #RCB! #ViratKohli𓃵.” He also posted pictures of him checking the score on his mobile phone inside the plane.
Tharoor wasn't the only politician to celebrate RCB's victory. Tejasvi Surya, a BJP MP representing Bengaluru in parliament and part of the same delegation, also shared a celebratory video from Washington D.C., congratulating the team. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy also extended their congratulations, underscoring the significance of the win for the state.
The reactions highlight the emotional investment fans and prominent personalities alike had in RCB's journey. For Virat Kohli, the victory was particularly poignant. Having been with the franchise since the inaugural 2008 edition, he has witnessed numerous highs and lows, leading the team to three previous finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, only to fall short each time. After the win, an emotional Kohli said, "I gave my youth, my prime, and my experience to RCB... It means so much to me; I'm just, as I said, I have given each and every ounce of my energy to this team, and finally, we have won the IPL. It's an amazing feeling." He further added that this win was "far more special than winning it with anyone else."
The final match saw RCB beat Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bowl, RCB managed to post 190/9, with Kohli top-scoring with 43 runs. RCB's bowling attack, led by Krunal Pandya, then restricted Punjab to 184/7, securing the victory.
RCB's victory was celebrated not only by politicians but also by celebrities and former cricketers. Actors, businessmen, and other prominent personalities took to social media to congratulate the team and Virat Kohli. Former RCB owner Vijay Mallya also expressed his joy, reminiscing about the team's journey.
The win not only brought joy to millions of fans but also a substantial financial reward for the team. As the winners of IPL 2025, RCB pocketed ₹20 crore. Punjab Kings, as the runners-up, received ₹13.5 crore.
The victory has cemented RCB's place in IPL history and fulfilled the dreams of its loyal fans, who have waited patiently for nearly two decades to see their team lift the trophy. The celebrations are a testament to the power of sport to unite people and evoke strong emotions, transcending political and social boundaries.
