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RCB's 2016 IPL Final Heartbreak Lingers As Virat Kohli Chases Redemption In 2025

Soumyajit Dutta

Virat Kohli [Source: @drivexpull/X]Virat Kohli [Source: @drivexpull/X]

"I had two heartbreaks in my life in 2016. First was the WT20 and then the IPL Final." - Virat Kohli via JioCinema. The words from Virat Kohli haunts every RCB fans as much as the 'King' himself. 

On May 29, 2016, RCB, led by Kohli, faced a crushing defeat in the IPL final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at their home ground in Bangalore. Despite Kohli’s efforts, RCB fell short by eight runs, as SRH’s disciplined bowling and clinical finishing sealed the title. 

That year, RCB had finished second in the league stumbling at the final hurdle, while SRH became the first IPL team to win the trophy after entering the playoffs through the Eliminator, a feat unmatched to this day.

The Haunting Defeat Of RCB In 2016 Final

Kohli’s 2016 campaign was spectacular, he amassed 973 runs, including four centuries, showcasing his dominance. Yet, the final exposed RCB’s vulnerabilities under pressure. 

SRH’s captain David Warner and Ben Cutting led the charge, setting a formidable target of 208. RCB’s chase faltered despite Chris Gayle’s explosive start and Kohli’s fighting half-century, as the Orange Army’s bowlers tightened the screws in the death overs.

Fast forward to IPL 2025, and RCB find themselves at a similar crossroads. After a dominant league stage, they face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, with Kohli and his team once again chasing the IPL crown. 

Kohli And Co.'s Shot At Redemption

The 2025 squad, bolstered by aggressive talents like Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, and recently unleashed Jitesh Sharma, has shown resilience and flair. Virat Kohli has been at his usual flair with 602 runs at an average of 60.20. Yet, the memory of 2016 lingers, a reminder of how close they came and how much they want to rewrite history.

For Kohli and RCB, the 2025 campaign is a quest for redemption. The echoes of 2016 fuel their ambition to finally lift the trophy and silence the ghosts of past heartbreak. As they prepare to face PBKS on May 29 at Mullanpur, the story of RCB’s resilience and hunger for glory continues to thrill fans.