RCB Finally Win IPL 2025 – Virat Kohli Shines, Vijay Mallya’s Role Remembered After 18 long years of waiting, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have finally won the IPL 2025 title. In the 2025 final, they defeated Punjab Kings and became IPL champions for the first time.
IPL 2025 Virat Kohli, the only player who stayed with RCB from the beginning, was in the spotlight after the win. He had waited a long time for this moment. Fans on social media also remembered Vijay Mallya, the team’s first owner.
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IPL 2025: How Vijay Mallya Bought RCB in 2008
In a podcast, Mallya shared how he first tried to buy the Mumbai Indians, but lost the bid to Mukesh Ambani by a small margin. He then bought RCB for $112 million in 2008. That was around ₹600–700 crore at the time.
He said, “I believed in the IPL’s future. I wanted to make RCB a bold and exciting team. That’s why I linked it to my whisky brand, Royal Challenge.”
Virat Kohli – Mallya’s Best Decision
IPL 2025 Mallya also said that one of his proudest moments was signing Virat Kohli from the Under-19 World Cup team. Delhi was expected to pick him, but they chose another player. RCB grabbed the opportunity.
“I saw something special in him,” Mallya said. “He was young, energetic, and full of talent. I’m proud he stayed with RCB for all 18 years.”
Building a Glamorous Brand
Mallya also talked about how he wanted RCB to be more than just a team. He wanted it to be a lifestyle brand. That’s why there were after-parties, cheerleaders, and big events. It was all part of the strategy.
“Some people called it flashy,” Mallya said, “but it worked. RCB became very popular in Bangalore.”
Promoting His Liquor Brand
IPL 2025, Mallya admitted that his main goal was not cricket it was promoting Royal Challenge whisky. He used the IPL as a marketing tool.
Mallya’s Dream Team Today
When asked who he would like to sign from today’s players, Mallya picked Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul.