There are few stories in cricket that elicit as much emotion and heartbreak as the journey of The Royal Challengers Bangalore to win their first IPL title. Every RCB fan recalls the 2016 IPL final – a night of excitement, spectacular performances and agonising disappointment.
Now as RCB heads into another chance to make history in the IPL 2025 final, the memories of that fateful game are still very much alive and the lingering question remains: Will Virat Kohli raise the trophy that he and his franchise love the most?
The 2016 IPL Final: A Night That Changed Everything
The 2016 IPL final was more than just a game of cricket; it was a show, which saw RCB, with the indomitable Virat Kohli at the helm, painfully close to greatness. RCB were favorites with a batting order of Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers. Chasing an imposing 209 from Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kohli and Gayle managed a 114-run opening partnership with Kohli providing 54, but with the night passing the pressure built, and the middle order gave way. 200/7 was the final total, 8 runs short as 2016 IPL final passed by RCB.
The reality to the heartbreak of the 2016 IPL final is not just about loss; it was about how RCB were so close, the dream essentially stolen at the final moments. Kohli’s tears and a silent stadium became symbols of unfinished business – a hurt that has propelled RCB since.
Kohli’s Leadership
Since that day in the 2016 IPL final, Virat Kohli has been on a path with RCB that is filled with nothing but pure grit. His current journey with RCB and his role with the franchise at large has maintained him as the face of the franchise, the only player to play for a single team for 17 seasons, and the overall leading run-scorer in the history of the IPL. Kohli’s leadership has had its ups and downs but his passion has never faltered. Kohli won the Orange Cap in 2016 and repeated that feat in 2024 as he further cemented his greatness in the modern era.
At IPL 2025 Kohli returns in superb form, owning the statistics with over 600+ runs scored with an average above 60, while leading the RCB side back to the final with a combination of both experience and hunger. Kohli’s performances, drive and love for the IPL brought forth youthful confidence as his own will to replace the pain and heartbreak of the 2016 IPL final has now become a team tradition.
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Key Moments That Define the Dream
- IPL Final 2016: Kohli’s 54 runs, the partnership with Gayle, and the heartbreaking loss of being just EIGHT runs short will be forever remembered by RCB fans.
- Recent Playoffs run: In 2025, RCB made the final in dominant fashion in Qualifier 1 and showed how far the team developed since that night in 2016.
- Kohli’s Achievement: From winning the Orange Cap during the 2016 IPL final season to continuing to lead by example in 2025 – Kohli’s perseverance is proof!
The 2025 Final: A Chance to Rewrite History
Now, as RCB stands on the brink of their fourth IPL final, the scars of the 2016 IPL final serve as both a warning and a source of strength. The team has evolved, the hunger has only intensified, and Kohli’s leadership is more resolute than ever. History is on their side: since 2018, every team that won Qualifier 1 has gone on to win the IPL title, a statistic that adds hope to RCB’s campaign.
A Story Waiting for Its Perfect Ending
The evolution – from the anguish of the IPL final in 2016 to the brink of a potential final in 2025 – has been a story of grit, faith and unrealized dreams. For Virat Kohli and RCB the spectres of 2016 are not memories – they are the fuel for their journey. As the cricket world watches, one remaining question looms – can this be the year Kohli and RCB finally overcome the summit that has haunted them since the 2016 IPL final.
On June 3, 2025 we will receive the answer. For now, the dream and potential for RCB lives on – vivid and vibrant as never before.
Written By Smita Singh
