As the IPL 2025 season concludes in grand style, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has finally ended their long wait for glory by lifting the coveted IPL trophy. After 17 years of heartbreaks, near misses, and countless memes about their elusive title quest, RCB fans can now hold their heads high. The 2025 IPL season will forever be etched in the team’s history as the year they finally conquered their demons and claimed the championship.
The celebrations were wild and unforgettable: fans dancing in the streets, Virat Kohli shedding tears of joy, and congratulatory messages flooding social media. Yet amid all the euphoria, one particular congratulatory tweet grabbed the spotlight — and sparked a storm of reactions online.
Vijay Mallya’s Controversial Congratulatory Message
The former RCB owner, Vijay Mallya, who has become a controversial figure due to his legal troubles and fugitive status, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to congratulate the team. Despite being away from India and in legal battles over unpaid debts, Mallya chose to publicly acknowledge the team’s long-awaited success.
His first tweet read:
“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!!”
In his second tweet, Mallya reflected on his association with the team and the players he once scouted:
“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. 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!”
Netizens React: Trolls, Memes, and Mixed Reactions
While Mallya’s tweets might have come from a place of nostalgia and pride, they didn’t exactly sit well with the internet. The comment sections were flooded with memes, sarcastic remarks, and critical takes from users who couldn’t help but call out the irony of a fugitive businessman celebrating a success story from afar.
Some users reminded him of his unresolved debts and his status as a “wanted” man, questioning how he could muster the nerve to tweet about RCB’s victory while evading legal consequences. Others found it funny that a man known for his lavish lifestyle and financial controversies was congratulating a team that had finally ended its championship drought.
One user quipped:
“Bro, repay your loans before you tweet congratulations.”
Another wrote:
“Even Mallya can’t believe RCB won. The world is truly upside down now.”
However, some fans did acknowledge Mallya’s historical role in shaping RCB, noting that he was indeed the one who built the team, signed players like Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Gayle, and gave fans unforgettable memories in the earlier seasons.
Mallya’s Legacy: A Complicated Relationship with RCB
Vijay Mallya’s relationship with RCB is undeniably complex. As the team’s original owner, he was instrumental in bringing some of the biggest names in world cricket to the franchise. Under his leadership, RCB reached the IPL final twice but couldn’t clinch the trophy. His larger-than-life persona, flamboyant parties, and signature cheerleaders once made RCB one of the most talked-about teams.
However, Mallya’s financial troubles overshadowed his tenure, and his flight from India due to massive loan defaults and fraud allegations left a sour taste in the mouths of many cricket fans and citizens alike.
Conclusion
As RCB fans bask in the glory of their team’s first-ever IPL championship, Vijay Mallya’s tweets have added an unexpected twist to the celebrations. His congratulatory messages have divided opinion — some see them as an acknowledgment from the team’s original founder, while others view them as a reminder of his unresolved controversies.
One thing is certain: RCB’s triumph has brought together fans from all walks of life, and whether you love or loathe Vijay Mallya, his tweets have certainly added a fresh layer of intrigue to an already historic IPL season.
So, what do you think of Vijay Mallya’s messages? Do you believe he has the right to celebrate the team’s victory despite his current status? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!