It was a night to remember — not just for Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans, but for the city of Bangalore and everyone who has stood by the team through nearly two decades of heartbreak and hope. As Virat Kohli finally lifted the IPL trophy after 18 seasons, the celebrations rippled far beyond the stadium — from the stands to social media timelines, from die-hard fans to celebrities with deep ties to the city, including Bollywood star Deepika Padukone. Here’s how the historic win unfolded and the emotional wave it set off.Celebrations broke out both on and off the field as Virat Kohli marked the long-awaited triumph with franchise icons AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle by his side. Kohli shared glimpses of the jubilant moments on social media, including the iconic shot of him lifting the IPL trophy with his teammates. The post quickly went viral, garnering millions of likes and reactions. Among the first to celebrate the win online was Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, a proud Bangalore native. Actress Athiya Shetty, actor Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan, and Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma also joined the chorus, praising the team’s monumental achievement.Deepika Padukone, in fact, shares a deep-rooted connection with Bangalore. Though born in Denmark, she was raised in the city, studied at Sophia High School and Mount Carmel College, and often reminisces about her time there — from early morning badminton sessions to indulging in dosas at her favourite local haunts. Her reaction to RCB’s historic win wasn’t just that of a Bollywood star, but of a true Bangalorean celebrating her city’s moment of glory.Deepika Padukone has long been a supporter of Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the early years of the IPL, especially around 2010, she was frequently spotted in the stands, cheering passionately for the team. Though she hasn’t been seen at matches in recent seasons, her recent reaction to RCB’s maiden title win suggests that her support has never really wavered — just become quieter, more personal.Meanwhile, after guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first-ever IPL title, Virat Kohli delivered a heartfelt tribute to his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, in a post-match interaction that quickly went viral. As RCB ended an 18-year wait for the coveted trophy, Kohli didn’t miss the moment to acknowledge the unwavering emotional support Anushka has given him through the highs and lows — a gesture that touched fans and added a personal, poignant layer to the historic win.Virat Kohli, visibly moved after RCB’s historic win, dedicated the moment to his wife Anushka Sharma, highlighting her constant presence and support over the years. He reflected on how she has stood by him since 2014, attending matches, enduring heartbreaks, and celebrating small victories along the way. Kohli acknowledged the silent sacrifices and unwavering commitment she has made behind the scenes — support that, he said, is hard to put into words but has meant everything in his journey, both as a cricketer and as a person.
