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In a follow-up post, Mallya reflected on his role in the team’s early years and his long-standing hopes for the franchise
Vijay Mallya, former owner of Bangalore Royal Challengers. (AFP file photo)
Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, the former owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), congratulated the team after they won their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title, ending an 18-year wait.
Shortly after RCB lifted the IPL 2025 trophy with a six-run win over Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, Mallya took to X to congratulate his former team.
“RCB are IPL Champions finally after 18 years,” he wrote. “Superb campaign right through the 2025 tournament. A well balanced team Playing Bold with outstanding coaching and support staff. Many congratulations ! Ee sala cup namde!!”
RCB are IPL Champions finally after 18 years. Superb campaign right through the 2025 tournament. A well balanced team Playing Bold with outstanding coaching and support staff. Many congratulations ! Ee sala cup namde !!— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) June 3, 2025
In a follow-up post, Mallya reflected on his role in the team’s early years and his long-standing hopes for the franchise.
When I founded RCB it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years. I also had the honour of picking Chris Gayle the Universe Boss and Mr 360 AB DeVillers who remain an indelible part of RCB history,” he wrote.
When I founded RCB it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years. I also had the honour of picking Chris Gayle the Universe Boss…— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) June 3, 2025
“Finally, the IPL trophy arrives in Bengaluru. Congratulations and thanks again to all who made my dream come true. RCB fans are the very best and they deserve the IPL trophy. Ee Sala Cup Bengaluru baruthe!,” he added.
Mallya, who now lives in the UK after fleeing India, was the original owner of the Bengaluru franchise when the IPL began in 2008. He regularly shares updates on IPL matches on social media, especially during this season.
When RCB reached the final, Mallya had praised the team’s performance. “Many congratulations to RCB for an authoritarian win over PBKS tonight to march into the IPL finals. Outstanding all round performance in a high pressure contest. Onwards and upwards towards the title. Play Bold,” he posted.
Mallya left India in 2016 and is wanted for fraud and money laundering in connection with the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines. He was declared a fugitive in 2019 and is fighting extradition in the UK over loan defaults of over Rs 9,000 crore.
ALSO READ: Ee Sala Cup Namde! RCB, Virat Kohli Finally Are IPL Champions, Beat Shreyas Iyer’s PBKS In Final
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United Kingdom (UK)
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