Jun 04, 2025 03:44 PM IST

A proud Bengalurean and lifelong fan of RCB, Nikhil Chinapa says the enjoyment he felt on Monday evening — and effectively into Tuesday — is one thing phrases can barely seize

For DJ, VJ, and die-hard Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fan Nikhil Chinapa, the celebrations on Monday evening weren’t nearly cricket — they have been 18 years of feelings bursting out in a single superb, unforgettable second. RCB’s historic win within the IPL 2025 remaining introduced out the proud Bengalurean in him, as he watched his staff lastly raise the elusive trophy.

Nikhil Chinapa is over the moon with RCB’s maiden IPL trophy

“I have been a fan since IPL started and have lived each and every moment. I have gone through heartbreaks, the highs and the lows and just like every other RCB fan, felt the pain of waiting to see the team lift the trophy for over 18 years. Although, as I have written on my social media as well, I have seen the women’s team lift the trophy, but this feeling is slightly different,” he says. “To see Virat, along with ABD (AB deVilliers) and Chris (Gayle) and the rest of the team lift the IPL trophy is an absolutely indescribable emotion right now, because it means so much for all of us. It is just surreal, I would say,” he provides.

RCB clinched their first IPL title in an exciting remaining in opposition to Punjab Kings on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, edging out their opponents by six runs. After posting 190/9 on the board. RCB’s bowlers stepped up beneath stress. Punjab threatened to chase it down however faltered within the remaining overs, ending at 184/7.

Nikhil, like numerous others, took to social media to precise his pleasure. He posted celebratory photos sporting the RCB jersey and even shared a nostalgic video that includes himself and comic Danish Sait, revisiting a enjoyable RCB anthem that they had created 9 years in the past. For him, this win wasn’t nearly cricket — it was about validation for a fan base that’s stood by their staff for practically 20 years.

“I mean RCB fans are special, and I am not saying fans of any other franchise are any less, but just the fact that every season, they turn up with so much of hope that every season is going to be theirs… I know a lot of people say that RCB has fans because of Virat Kohli, but I think it’s quite opposite to that,” he says.

“Of course Virat Kohli is one of the most special players India has seen, but… I personally, am a bigger fan of ABD than Virat. And to see ABD with Virat and then Chris Gayle also lift the trophy was an extremely special feeling,” he provides.