'18 long years': Sid Mallya overwhelmed as RCB clinch historic IPL victory. Watch

Despite reaching the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, the team had never clinched the title until now.

Siddharth Mallya, son of former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) owner Vijay Mallya, was visibly emotional as RCB secured their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title after 18 years. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he shared a video of himself in tears, captioned simply: "18 long long year. I don’t know what to say."

Mallya's deep connection to RCB stems from his tenure as the team's director during his father's ownership. Appointed in 2010, he was instrumental in launching initiatives like the "Green Initiatives," aiming to make RCB the world's first carbon-neutral sports team through fan engagement. He also hosted the online chat show "No Boundaries," featuring RCB players and offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the team.

The Mallya family's association with RCB began in 2008 when Vijay Mallyapurchased the franchise for $111.6 million, making it one of the highest bids in the IPL at the time. Under their stewardship, RCB became known for its star-studded lineup, including players like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers. However, despite reaching the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, the team had never clinched the title until now.

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The emotional weight of the victory was not lost on fans and former associates. Lalit Modi, the founder of the IPL, commented "Congratulations" on Mallya's post. Fans also expressed their sentiments, with one noting, "The family who made this team an emotion for millions of people all around the world," and another calling Mallya the "OG boss."

RCB's triumph in the 2025 IPL final against Punjab Kings, winning by six runs, marked the culmination of nearly two decades of hope and perseverance for the team and its supporters.