top of page

By:

C.S. Krishnamurthy

21 June 2025 at 2:15:51 pm

Ee Sala, Again Namde

For years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru supporters carried hope the way a pilgrim carries a lamp through a storm. The flame flickered, but it never went out. Last year, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, RCB finally broke 18-year drought and lifted their maiden IPL trophy. Many wondered whether it was the end of a long journey. But on Sunday night, it turned out to be the beginning of something even bigger. By defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final, RCB not only won their...

Ee Sala, Again Namde

For years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru supporters carried hope the way a pilgrim carries a lamp through a storm. The flame flickered, but it never went out. Last year, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, RCB finally broke 18-year drought and lifted their maiden IPL trophy. Many wondered whether it was the end of a long journey. But on Sunday night, it turned out to be the beginning of something even bigger. By defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final, RCB not only won their second title but also retained the crown. They entered a select club and took another confident step towards building a legacy worthy of the league's most celebrated champions. As I watched the final unfold, it felt less like a cricket match and more like a masterclass in planning and execution. Finals are won by discipline, and RCB displayed it in abundance. The contest could not have started better for Bengaluru. Gujarat’s formidable opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan had tormented bowlers throughout the tournament. Yet RCB managed to detach both engines before the train could gather speed. At 26 for 2, Gujarat were already wobbling. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood struck early, while Rasikh Salam continued his remarkable rise with crucial breakthroughs. His three wickets ensured Gujarat never found complete control. Then came Krunal Pandya. Every successful team has a player who works like a silent ceiling fan. Nobody notices him constantly, but everyone feels the difference when he stops. Krunal has been exactly that for RCB this season. His economical spell and the dismissal of Jos Buttler once again highlighted his immense value. Washington Sundar’s unbeaten fifty gave Gujarat something respectable to defend, but 155 never looked intimidating on a surface that rewarded sensible batting. Still, finals have a habit of producing nervous moments. Calm Pursuit RCB’s chase began like a sports car leaving a traffic signal. Impact substitute Venkatesh Iyer exploded out of the blocks with a sparkling 32 off just 16 balls. His innings immediately shifted pressure onto Gujarat. By the time he departed, the foundation had been firmly laid. And then the chase master took over. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 was a reminder of why he remains one of the greatest competitors, cricket has ever seen. Over the years, Kohli has evolved with the demands of T20 cricket. This season he scored 600 runs at a strike rate that would satisfy even the most demanding modern analyst. In the final, he blended aggression with control beautifully. Watching Kohli chase a target is like watching an experienced banker balance a complicated ledger. Every risk is calculated and every over has a purpose. There was no panic when wickets fell. There was no rush when Gujarat briefly tightened the screws. Kohli simply kept moving the scoreboard forward, converting pressure into opportunity. Tim David’s brisk contribution ensured there would be no late drama. Jitesh Sharma calmly completed the formalities as RCB reached the target with two overs to spare. What perhaps makes this title more satisfying than the first is the manner in which it was achieved. For years, critics accused RCB of being overly dependent on a handful of superstars. That criticism can no longer survive examination. This championship was built by a collective. Rajat Patidar provided leadership. Devdutt Padikkal offered consistency. Tim David delivered finishing power. Bhuvneshwar Kumar supplied experience. Hazlewood contributed control. Krunal added balance. Rasikh emerged as a revelation. Even when Kohli shone brightest, there was always someone else carrying part of the load. That is the hallmark of great teams. Legacy Beckons Sport has a charming way of rewarding persistence. The bamboo tree spends years strengthening its roots before shooting skyward. The franchise spent nearly two decades collecting heartbreaks, memes, near misses and painful memories. Yet its supporters remained loyal. They filled stadiums, wore red jerseys proudly and continued believing. Today, those supporters are enjoying the sweetest chapter in franchise history. Back-to-back titles have transformed RCB from sentimental favourites into genuine heavyweights. The team that once chased history is now creating it. As fireworks illuminated Ahmedabad's night sky, one thought lingered. The cup is no longer visiting Bengaluru. It appears to have found a permanent address. And somewhere in the sea of red, millions of smiling fans were probably saying the same four magical words once again: “Ee Sala Cup Namde.” Only this time, nobody could argue. (The writer is a retired banker and author. Views personal.)

Golden Smash

After two years of frustration and near-misses, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty returned in strength to remind the world why India remains a rising force in global badminton.


For champions, the hardest victories are often not the first ones but those that arrive after disappointment and self-doubt. That is what made Satwik and Chirag’s triumph at the Singapore Open so special. Their thrilling comeback victory over Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri was a statement of resilience and enduring excellence.


Since winning the Thailand Open in 2024, Satwik and Chirag had repeatedly come close to lifting another title, only to fall agonisingly short. Four finals ended in disappointment leading critics to wonder whether mounting pressure and the relentless demands of the international circuit had begun to erode this formidable partnership.


But their performance at the Singapore Open has provided a resounding answer. Despite losing the opening game, the duo did not panic. Instead, they displayed tactical intelligence and the courage to trust their strengths. Chirag’s sharp anticipation and authority at the net complemented Satwik’s explosive power from the back court. Together, they transformed a match slipping away into a memorable victory. Their 18-21, 21-17, 21-16 win was a masterclass in persistence.


By becoming the first Indian doubles pair to win the Singapore Open, Satwik and Chirag have added another milestone to a career already rich with achievements. India has celebrated champions such as Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu in singles badminton, but the rise of Satwik and Chirag has expanded the horizons of what Indian badminton can aspire to achieve. They have demonstrated that India can compete not only through exceptional individuals but also through world-class partnerships capable of matching the traditional powerhouses of Indonesia, China, South Korea and Japan.


In the semifinals, they had defeated reigning world champions and current world No. 1 pair Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae. To then overcome another elite Indonesian duo in the final speaks volumes about the level at which they performed throughout the week.


Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the victory is what it signifies for Indian sport. Too often, sporting success is viewed through the narrow prism of immediate results. Satwik and Chirag’s journey offer a valuable reminder that elite sport is rarely a straight path. Great athletes endure setbacks only to return stronger. Their triumph in Singapore is a testament to perseverance as much as talent. But they also represented something larger: the growing maturity of Indian badminton.


The Singapore Open crown is Satwik and Chirag’s ninth World Tour title and third Super 750 triumph. More importantly, it reaffirms that India’s most successful doubles pair remains a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. The long drought is over and the champions are back where they belong - at the top.

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

bottom of page