Eighteen years. That’s how long it took for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to finally turn dreams into reality. On June 3, the team once mocked for its glitz-over-substance approach scripted an unforgettable chapter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in the 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
For a franchise that has seen its fair share of heartbreak, three failed finals, endless memes, and an unwavering fanbase, this was more than a win. It was redemption. And right at the heart of it all was Virat Kohli, still donning red and gold, still grinding it out for the badge he never walked away from.
As celebrations erupted across Bengaluru and social media timelines lit up with "Ee Sala Cup Namdu" memes, one voice stood out from the past. Vijay Mallya, the man who had once been the face of RCB’s ownership, took to X (formerly Twitter) with a message that was both congratulatory and nostalgic.
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"I Picked Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers" - Vijay Mallya Posts Emotional Note As RCB Lift Maiden IPL Title
As RCB got their hands at the IPL trophy after 18 years, a tweet came from a man who had not been publicly involved with the franchise in nearly a decade, but whose fingerprints are still all over its DNA, Vijay Mallya.
He talked about picking Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers during his time with the franchise and congratulated RCB and its fans as the trophy came home for the first time.
"When I founded RCB it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years. I also had the honour of picking Chris Gayle the Universe Boss and Mr 360 AB DeVillers who remain an indelible part of RCB history," Mallya tweeted.
"Finally, the IPL trophy arrives in Bengaluru. Congratulations and thanks again to all who made my dream come true. RCB fans are the very best and they deserve the IPL trophy. Ee Sala Cup Bengaluru baruthe!" he added.
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Vijay Mallya’s Connection With RCB
Notably, Mallya had been RCB’s original architect, paying $111.6 million for the rights in 2008, then the second-highest bid after Reliance’s Mumbai Indians. While Mallya’s tenure as team owner was turbulent and at times chaotic, it was under his leadership that Kohli, de Villiers, and Gayle came together.
Kohli’s debut IPL season came in 2008, when he was signed by RCB after leading India to a U-19 World Cup title. For Mallya, watching that same player stay loyal to the team through thick and thin, and finally win, was personal vindication.
In 2016, he left India amid mounting financial scandals linked to the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines. Accused of defaulting on loans, he was declared a fugitive and lost RCB’s ownership. United Sports now have the ownership of RCB.
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