In one of the most heartfelt moments in IPL history, Virat Kohli was seen teaching the iconic “Ee Saala Cup Namdu” chant to Royal Challengers Bengaluru legends Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers after RCB clinched their long-awaited maiden IPL title. The six-run win over Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was a culmination of nearly two decades of heartbreak and hope, and Kohli made sure it was celebrated unforgettably.
As the celebrations continued well past midnight, Kohli, standing with his longtime teammates and closest RCB allies, got Gayle and de Villiers to join him on live television in chanting the famous line, “This year, the cup is ours.” The trio—once the face of RCB’s golden yet title-less years, shared a light, emotional moment that resonated deeply with fans both at the stadium and watching around the world.
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Reflecting on the victory, Kohli couldn’t hold back his emotions. “It’s special because I get to share it with these two,” he said during a post-match interview with Star Sports. “I’ve shared my prime years with them. We gave it everything—season after season. We had the firepower, the belief, but somehow, we just couldn’t cross the line. And that hurt stayed with us. To finally win it, and have them beside me… it makes this moment ten times more special.”
E sala cup namdu #esalacupnamdu kohli #gayle #abd #ipl pic.twitter.com/W6YEpsSpHl
— Harish.H (@Harishhalebeedu) June 3, 2025
Kohli, who finished the season with 657 runs in 15 innings, credited Gayle and de Villiers for the foundation they laid for the franchise’s identity. “This trophy is theirs as much as it is mine,” he declared. “You can see the love they still get when they come to Bengaluru. It’s because they gave their heart and soul to this team. The fans never forget that, and neither do I.”
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Both Gayle and de Villiers were integral to RCB’s journey—Gayle dazzled from 2011 to 2017 with towering sixes and two Orange Caps, while de Villiers, the ‘Mr. 360’ of world cricket, gave 11 memorable seasons from 2011 to 2021.
Together with Kohli, they formed the soul of a team that always promised magic, but until now, never had the silverware to show for it. Now, that wait is finally over—and fittingly, the celebration was shared by the men who made RCB more than just a team.
