RCB Won — And Bengaluru’s Streets Went Wild: A Ground Report

RCB Won — And Bengaluru’s Streets Went Wild: A Ground Report

For some time, RCB supporters have gone through hope, disappointment and memes. Once RCB conquered the IPL trophy, something truly special happened both for the team and the city of Bengaluru. People danced along the streets, including police officers and loud cheers could be heard everywhere, making the city more alive than ever. I have news right from within the chaos.

The Moment It Happened

It was almost midnight when the incident happened. The game was finished with the last ball of the match. There was incredible excitement inside Chinnaswamy and that roar traveled everywhere in Bengaluru. Horns were honking, people were greeting each other and it seemed everybody was taking part in one huge party.

I was enjoying a drink at a pub in Indiranagar, when RCB won and the atmosphere went wild, like Diwali and the New Year came together. People clinked their glasses, a few got up on tables and some ended up shedding tears. Actually, I saw a grown man reach out to his mother, sharing how excited he was with her.

MG Road to Malleswaram — A Sea of Red

MG Road was so crowded by midnight. Autos, cars and buses of the BMTC flew RCB flags. Some dancers were riding bikes to “Ee Sala Cup Namde”, including one guy who wore an entire red and gold painting all over his body.

Cops were even grinning and some of them joined the party with the crowd. I could hear one traffic officer say to a biker, “Stay safe, but enjoy the day!” That’s how people in Bengaluru felt — a bit worried yet very happy.

I saw the elderly women in Malleswaram passing out sweets to the community. “We have been waiting for more than 16 years now,” they told me. This reminds me of my son’s wedding.

Memes and Madness Online

The streets were lively and social media had its own set of drama. There were hundreds of posts using #RCBForever on X (the previous name for Twitter) and lots of short videos were shared on Instagram too. Humorous memes and emotional tributes showed how much the internet was cheering with joy after Kohli finally smiled holding the cup.

There was a post that really caught my attention, because it said “I can marry, purchase a home and start moving forward.” My objective for life has been reached — RCB won.” RCB supporters could finally let their stress go after carrying it for so long.

Businesses Cashed In Too

On the day after the victory, you could not find single RCB jersey in most local stores. Crafty vendors standing by the road sold RCB caps and flags for ₹50, knowing that the crowd needed them for the game. I commented to one stall owner near Majestic that he only sold pieces for just one team. He smiled and commented, “Today is only for RCB, brother!”

Both cafes and pubs gave out special offers and a few places even renamed their food. I noticed that a noticeboard outside a burger place said: “Our Kohli Krunch Burger — Now There’s a Winner!”

It Wasn’t Just a Trophy — It Was Healing

RCB’s victory gave us the happiness we needed and wrapped up the season for us. Years of failure were finally turned around for those who had stuck loyal to the team. Many people were heard of praying, making promises or getting tattoos to wish for RCB to have a successful day. Now, the event that had been anticipated was due to start.

Near Cubbon Park, I met a person who annually visited the park to pray for his beloved RCB at the IPL. I’m not lighting a cigarette and he said it with a smile. It was very rewarding to hear that they finally appreciated my efforts.

Even the Weather Celebrated

As much as Bengaluru is Bengaluru, the skies were filled with fireworks instead of rain by the end of the night. Firecrackers were paid for by many people in the community. Sitting at the game, I noticed it was loud, smoky and not perfectly organized, but nobody tried to leave. I felt that the traffic jams were worth dealing with.

Even the weather turned out perfect for the occasion. It was still raining the morning before, though that eventful night was perfectly clear. The sky looked clear, almost as if the universe had made everything perfect.

The Real MVP? The Fans

Kohli, Faf and their teammates did well in the game, but it was the fans who were the real stars off it. The feelings of loyalty, continuous support and painful heartbreaks were displayed openly in the protests.

I talked to some students in Jayanagar who decided to put off their tests to watch the final. “It was worth it,” one of them answered. Afterward, we will try the exam again. But this evening will remain unique.

In Conclusion: A Much Bigger Game

The win brought more than just a cricket match to everyone. It led Bengaluru to a complete cultural change. Years went by with the city being made fun of, ridiculed and heartbreakingly treated by others. But when we won that trophy, it seemed like the pain of the community had been eased.

When I passed through the glowing city streets, I could hear the shouts of “RCB!” RCB!” was still being heard in all directions. At that very moment, I realised something else had just happened. Things were revolutionized by the advent of lightning photography.

Were you able to enjoy RCB’s victory in a different way? Express your thoughts about life experiences in the comments. Feel free to share the article with others and don’t skip out on signing up for more great cricket content.