Virat Kohli Leaps Into Ravi Shastri’s Arms as RCB Ends 18-Year IPL Title Drought; Anushka Sharma’s Reaction Steals the Show

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, ending an 18-year-long wait with a thrilling 6-run win over Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.

After being asked to bat first, RCB posted a competitive total of 190/9, led by Virat Kohli’s crucial 43 off 35 deliveries. Despite a strong start by Punjab Kings, RCB’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback to restrict them to 184/7 and seal a historic victory.

Emotions ran high across the RCB camp — none more so than with franchise icon Virat Kohli, who has been part of the team since its inception in 2008. The emotional moment that captured the hearts of millions came when Kohli leapt into the arms of former India head coach Ravi Shastri, celebrating like a child finally realizing a dream.

The heartwarming exchange between Kohli and Shastri, who shared a storied journey in Indian cricket during their tenure as captain and coach, was caught on camera and quickly went viral. Adding to the emotional atmosphere, Anushka Sharma — Kohli’s wife and Bollywood actor — was seen applauding and laughing, visibly overwhelmed with joy.

Rajat Patidar, who captained RCB in this season, praised the team’s spirit and Kohli’s contribution during the post-match presentation.

“This is a really special moment — not just for me, but for Virat bhai and all our fans who have stood by us over the years. After winning Qualifier 1, we believed it was possible. Scoring 190 on a slightly slow pitch was a solid effort, and the way our bowlers executed the plans was just outstanding,” said Patidar.

With the nation celebrating RCB’s long-awaited triumph, the 2025 IPL final will be remembered not only for the thrilling contest but also for the raw emotions and iconic moments it produced.