After 18 long years of near-misses and heartbreaks, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy on Tuesday night, sending the city and fans worldwide into a frenzy. The six-run victory over Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium wasn’t just a sporting triumph; it was the culmination of an emotional journey for millions of loyal supporters.
From packed pubs to buzzing residential complexes, Bengaluru erupted in joy as the clock struck 11.23 pm. The city’s streets transformed into a sea of red and gold, with fans waving flags, honking horns and chanting "Ee sala cup namde" (This time, the cup is ours). The victory wasn’t just celebrated in Bengaluru - RCB’s global fanbase, from Bidar to Boston, joined the revelry, according to a TOI report.
Live screenings brought communities together like never before. In Indiranagar, Ashwini Ramaswamy, a long-time supporter, reminisced about watching matches during exam nights in high school. Malleswaram resident Adi Sharma was quoted by TOI as saying that his family treated the final like a festival, wearing jerseys and gathering around the TV as if it were Ugadi.
Apartment complexes organised massive screenings, turning balconies and common areas into impromptu stadiums. Prestige Tranquility, a 2,300-flat society, arranged a community screening. "Today is a big day for RCB. Residents requested a common screening and we were happy to make it happen. It's not just about cricket; it's about coming together as a community,” said secretary Balaji Natarajan, TOI quoted.
As per TOI, the city’s nightlife mirrored New Year’s Eve energy. Long Boat Brewing in Marathahalli was fully booked by Monday morning, with over 1,000 covers. "We’ve never been booked like this for a Tuesday," said co-owner Vinay Chandrashekar. Impressario’s 11 Social outlets across the city were jam-packed, forcing them to turn away walk-ins by afternoon.
Koramangala’s pubs overflowed with fans in RCB jerseys, some superstitiously hopping between bars, convinced it would bring luck. Multiplexes also cashed in on the craze. PVR Inox reported 92 per cent occupancy in Bengaluru, with 46 shows selling out. Nationwide, over 25,000 tickets were sold for 150+ screenings. “It was heartening to see fans coming together to celebrate one of India's most electrifying sporting moments,” said PVR CEO Gautam Dutta, TOI quoted.
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