IPL 2025: Fans request Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to declare public holiday if RCB wins. (Photo source: X and IPL)
A die-hard Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fanbase from Belagavi, Karnataka, has requested the state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to declare a public holiday across the state if the team manages to lift their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy this year. The handwritten letter went viral after RCB’s impressive eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1, which gave them direct entry into the IPL 2025 final, which will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Apart from a one-day off, the fan, Shivanand Mallannavar, has also urged the government to formally celebrate the occasion as “RCB Fans’ Festival”, proposing statewide celebrations equivalent to that of Karnataka Rajyotsava, a celebratory day in the region.
He also recommended that the RCB victory day, if it happens, be remembered and celebrated every year, making it an annual honour for fans who have remained loyal through the franchise’s ups and downs over the years.
Coming to the game, the team demolished Punjab Kings in a one-sided contest at New Chandigarh. RCB’s bowlers dismantled PBKS for a mere 101 runs in just 14.1 overs. Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets each, while Yash Dayal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar also chipped in.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, RCB began their brilliance from the start, with Dayal dismissing Priyansh Arya in the second over. Bhuvneshwar then removed Prabhsimran Singh, and Hazlewood picked the important wicket of PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer. Punjab never recovered from the collapse, and Suyash’s double strike put an end to all their hopes in the match.
Chasing a small target, RCB made the run chase look easy. Despite losing Virat Kohli early to Kyle Jamieson, English opener Phil Salt smashed an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls. His innings, laced with six fours and three sixes, ensured RCB reached the target in just 10 overs. Rajat Patidar finished the game with a six off Musheer Khan. This is RCB’s first IPL final appearance in nine years. They had previously reached the final in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but the trophy never came on their side.
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