Remember Sid Mallya? Vijay Mallya's son & former RCB director is back and in tears over RCB's first IPL win

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their title drought after 18 seasons and secured their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) championship. For many, it was a moment of uncontainable joy. But for Sid Mallya, son of former RCB owner Vijay Mallya, it stirred up deep emotion.

Soon after RCB's historic win, Sid Mallya posted a video on Instagram capturing his reaction to the final moments of the match. Seated in his bedroom and watching the game unfold on television, Mallya was seen holding back tears as Virat Kohli, RCB’s longest-serving player, also broke down in emotion after the win. The video, likely recorded by his wife, showed a visibly moved Sid soaking in the moment that had been 18 years in the making. His caption simply read, “18 long long years. I don’t know what to say.”

RCB’s journey has seen several highs and lows since their inception in 2008 under the ownership of Vijay Mallya and Kingfisher. The early years were marked by star-studded matches and off-field glamour with celebrities such as Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif frequently spotted in the stands. Sid Mallya himself was a regular face at the games and became associated with the team’s brand during its formative years.

However, things changed drastically after legal issues forced Vijay Mallya to distance himself from business operations. This eventually led to United Spirits Limited taking over full ownership of RCB. Sid also stepped away from the franchise's spotlight, but it’s clear the team remained close to his heart.

This win holds a different kind of meaning for Kohli, who has stayed loyal to RCB through all seasons. As the only player to feature in every edition of the tournament for the team, his emotional response mirrored the sentiments of countless fans and of Sid Mallya, who had once been part of the team’s earliest chapters.

For RCB fans across the globe, the victory marked the end of a long wait. And for Sid Mallya, it brought back memories, pride and a few tears.