RCB wins IPL 2025: What does ‘Ee sala cup namdu’ mean and why is it special to RCB fans

The dream has finally come true for the countless fans of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After years of heartbreaks, close finishes, and endless memes, RCB have lifted their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy in 2025. For a franchise that has carried the weight of high expectations year after year, this victory means far more than just a cricketing triumph, but an emotional release, a celebration of loyalty and long years of trust.As the final whistle blew and RCB were crowned champions, the streets of Bengaluru transformed into a sea of red and gold and blue. Fans danced, flags waved high, and the iconic Kannada slogan "Ee Sala Cup Namdu" rang out from every corner of the city.Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their IPL title drought with a thrilling six-run win over Punjab Kings in the final on Tuesday. According to match reports, RCB posted a competitive total of 190/9 in their 20 overs after being put to bat first. Virat Kohli led from the front with a gritty 43 off 35 balls, while Rajat Patidar chipped in with a quick 26. Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma added valuable runs in the middle.The phrase ‘Ee Sala Cup Namdu’ comes from Kannada, the main language spoken in Karnataka. In English, it means “This year, the cup is ours.” Over time, it has become a symbol of hope and excitement for RCB fans. It’s actually an upgrade from the earlier version, ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde’, which meant “This year, the cup will be ours.”Punjab Kings started strong in their chase, but the pressure of the final got to them. Josh Inglis scored 39, and Shashank Singh kept their hopes alive with an unbeaten 61. However, RCB's bowling attack, led by Krunal Pandya, held their nerves in the death overs as he stood out with exceptional figures of 2 for 17 in his 4 overs.Arshdeep Singh gave PBKS a glimmer of hope with three wickets in the final over of RCB’s innings, finishing with figures of 3/40, while Kyle Jamieson also impressed with 3/48. For Punjab, despite a decent start, they could only manage 184/7 in their 20 overs.The chants of "Ee Sala Cup Namdu", echoed across Bengaluru, showing the emotional payoff for RCB fans. Social media was filled with posts and tweets appreciating the hard-earned victory of RCB. One user wrote, "For every ‘mundin sala’… this one’s for ‘Ee Sala…’ ”,