An aerial view of RCB fans gathered outside Vidhana Soudha to catch a glimpse of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 champions, in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025.
The government of Karnataka accorded a ‘royal felicitation’ to newly-crowned Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on the grand steps of the iconic Vidhana Soudha, the State secretariat, in Bengaluru on June 4.
Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar honoured the Rajat Patidar-led squad with traditional Mysore peta (turban), garland and a shawl.
Thousands of frenzied fans dressed in RCB jerseys waved red flags and gave a grand welcome to the new IPL champions.
The team arrived at the State secretariat an hour behind the schedule. Captain Rajat Patidar was the first player to get down from the bus, holding the trophy. The trophy was kept in front of the stage for public viewing.
On the way to the Vidhana Soudha, fans had gathered on both sides of Race Course Road. They were dancing and cheering the team, shouting “RCB … RCB…”
Fans, who had come from all over the city, waited patiently for several hours outside the Vidhana Soudha to see their heroes and shouted the slogan “Ee sala cup namdu” (this year the cup is ours).
Mr. Siddaramaiah congratulated the RCB team for winning its maiden IPL title after a 17-year wait.
“I congratulate all the RCB team members, I also congratulate their fans. The whole country and the State is proud of them, RCB has never won the IPL. This is the eighteenth season, and they have won, and it has made me immensely happy,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who oversaw the arrangements at the Secretariat, ensured tight security at the venue.
Earlier in the afternoon, the RCB team arrived in Bengaluru by a special flight. On landing at HAL airport, they were welcomed by Mr. Shivakumar. The team’s most popular player, Virat Kohli, was welcomed with a Kannada flag at the airport.
Published – June 05, 2025 01:26 pm IST
