RCB ROCK: RCB winning the IPL Trophy sends a right signal back home amidst language turmoil

Fire crackers exploding and lighting up the Bengaluru skyline, partying continuing into the wee hours of Wednesday, all this is in order for Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning the IPL Trophy after a long wait of 18 years. Scenes of joy began inside the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and spelt onto the streets outside the venue. But the real burst of celebrations was in Bengaluru, Karnataka and social media.

The team has a massive fan base, the franchise has massive brand value. What was missing was the prized Trophy, now well in their grasp and lap. So, let the RCB party continue once they arrive in their own city. It is going to be in order, for fans have waited for so long. As one of the most talented sides with the best of players being in their ranks over so many years, RCB have finally got justice.

This season, the IPL 2025, was not easy. A long stretch from March 22 to June 3, with a short break in between due to Operation Sindoor, RCB had to peak, fall and then peak. The last two matches they played, in Mullanpur and then Ahmedabad, both against Punjab Kings has settled the debate. RCB are champions and their pedigree has been justified this season.

It has been a hard IPL season for all teams. Yet, for RCB to perform so well and produce fantastic results under new captain Rajat Patidar has been defining. Rajat was picked by Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik and the RCB think-tank, where Mo Bobat played a big role at the end of the 2024 season.

However, fans know very well, this RCB side belongs to Virat Kohli. He has given his youth, manhood and now his mature life at 36 for the RCB side. So, if Kohli was crying after the historic triumph, it was in order.  The gamut of emotions which Kohli has undergone in the last one year have been crazy. He was part of the winning side in the ICC T20 World Cup last year. He flopped in the BGT Series in Australia, before redeeming himself in the Champions Trophy. And, then, to announce his retirement from the Test team and focus on the IPL alone, this defines King Kohli.

For those who rave about the romance between MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings, Virat Kohli and RCB are a fusion. Call it a blend or fine wine, Kohli is with RCB like glue binding a book. That a new chapter has been added and Kohli lent it a script as well makes for great reading and viewing.

Those who have followed Kohli know deep down, he has been integral in the way the RCB side has been built brick by brick. Many legends have been part of this side from AB de Villiers to Chris Gayle. They have moved on, but Kohli has stayed put. He had to, for he treats the RCB as his own side. At a time when Bengaluru and Karnataka are doing some ridiculous stiff vis a vis resistance over Hindi language and insistence on Kannada, a few truth need to be told.

Kohli is from Delhi, Punjabi By Nature and now lives in Mumbai/Alibaug and London. Rajat Patidar, the RCB captain is from Madhya Pradesh. Krunal Pandya, who bowled his heart out to wreck Punjab Kings is from Gujarat, Phil Salt is from England, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. If one adds more names of RCB players, the composition is pan India and global. This is something which has to be said, since political nonsense in Karnataka has reached crazy levels. Maybe, the IPL win by RCB will lead to a change in the way people are being forced to hate Hindi and also humans from other states. Let the victory of RCB be seen as a signal to make Bengaluru a great city again, minus any hatred. The IPL is, after all, a great event.

Let the party continue in Bengaluru, minus any bias. Celebrate Kannada for sure as a language, but remember, the IPL is an amalgam for peace and solidarity. Cheers, RCB. The only language which has worked is T20 cricket!