Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have finally ended a 18-year long wait by winning their first-ever IPL trophy in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, putting an end to years of heartbreak and close finishes. Fans and former stakeholders celebrated wildly after RCB won their first IPL trophy. Vijay Mallya, the original owner of RCB, responded to the victory with nostalgia and emotion on X.
He congratulated the team and reflected on his role in creating the franchise, including his early choices to support legends like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Virat Kohli. Fans who have long chanted the club’s anthem, “Ee Sala Cup Namde,” which was finally realized in 2025, were deeply moved by Mallya’s sincere posts.
RCB are IPL Champions finally after 18 years. Superb campaign right through the 2025 tournament. A well balanced team Playing Bold with outstanding coaching and support staff. Many congratulations ! Ee sala cup namde !!
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) June 3, 2025
Vijay Mallya’s Plaudits
“RCB are IPL Champions finally after 18 years. Superb campaign right through the 2025 tournament. A well-balanced team Playing Bold with outstanding coaching and support staff. Many congratulations! Ee sala cup namde!!” Mallya posted on X.
“Ee Sala Cup Namde” Comes True
The club’s slogan is chanted by every fan in the stadium and watching on TV from their homes, “Ee sala cup namde,” which translates to “This year the cup is ours” in Kannada, the language spoken in Karnataka, the home state of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Vijay Mallya’s tweet must have hit a chord in the hearts of all RCB fans after suffering defeats in three IPL finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016.
In another post on X, the former owner talked through his journey and the beginnings of RCB, putting into perspective the journey they went through to get their hands on the trophy
Mallya’s Original Dream
“When I founded RCB it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years. I also had the honour of picking Chris Gayle the Universe Boss and Mr 360 AB DeVillers who remain an indelible part of RCB history. Finally, the IPL trophy arrives in Bengaluru. Congratulations and thanks again to all who made my dream come true. RCB fan”s are the very best and they deserve the IPL trophy. Ee Sala Cup Bengaluru baruthe !”
When I founded RCB it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years. I also had the honour of picking Chris Gayle the Universe Boss…
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) June 3, 2025
United Spirits removed Vijay Mallya from his position as RCB’s first owner and company chairman in 2016 over suspected financial irregularities and embezzlement, which forced him to leave the club.
