Given Up... Never

Never give up

Never give in

Never stand down

Never back down...

3rd June 2025 | IPL Finals |

3rd June 2025 | IPL Finals | RCB vs PBKS

While the clock was inching towards midnight, history was made—RCB finally lifted the IPL trophy. Took us only a wait of 18 seasons since inception, 4th attempt in the finals. Had spent much of my adult life, Infact all of my earning adult life dreaming of this moment, chasing this moment, wanting to live this one moment. 

There were dreams, promises of dreams, few nightmares, some dreams came, dreams left, transitioned over from college to working, single to married, son to husband to father but the one constant hope of a dream had always remained of us being crowned IPL Champs. More so because the dream which started in summer of each year, remained unfulfilled but with the promise that we'll return again next year, with new hopes, new ambitions, renewed Josh that this year is my year, our year, Bengaluru's year, RCB's year, the cup will come home. Year after year it just kept on repeating, never fading though. NEVER EVER FADING... It's a story thats taken 18 seasons of IPL, so will let that be.

Fast forward to to the day, where those dreams have finally turned to reality. The sense of lost, of emptiness, the void of being trophyless after trying forever inspite of having the best of the lot has finally been fulfilled. I could go on with pages or a book or a series of books on this journey from infancy back in 2008 to adulthood in 2025 of winning the elusive cup and still fall short of words. With the cup finally my own to call, my joy knows no ends. Never had the opportunity to celebrate when I was a stupid single boy who had very little inkling of the world, now with whatever little knowledge iv gained still celebrated like a school going kid, forcing everyone in neighbourhood to wake up to the loudest of cracker noises only for them to join in the fun and  and be on cloud 9. The entire city erupted, Infact many other cities did. 

The day marked the beginning of what was to be the biggest celebration the city has ever seen, roads jampacked with crazy fan frenzy, days will fall short of time and nights would never end.

The cup of glory, the cup of dreams finally ours to call, today, tomorrow, forever... No More being Mocked. 

We are the champions, were always a champion team, now there is a tag to go along, a star to adorn the RCB logo and count set to only increase in, bringing along with it renewed hopes of newer heights, glory, passion and the zest to stay ahead of the rest. Upwards and Onwards...

But just when we thought the celebrations would never end, tragedy struck.

Less than 24 hours later, 11 innocent lives were lost in an unfortunate, avoidable accident. What should have been a week-long citywide festival ended in silence and sorrow.

I've heard of 7 stages of grief, my only constant state for the longest time these days is Anger.

I find myself angry—not just at the system that failed to manage the crowd—but at those who never wanted us to win, those who mocked our passion for years. Maybe it’s foolish, maybe emotional—but in this grief, that anger feels real, the negativity feels real, the evil eye feels real. 

All of my anger is directed towards the people reeking of jealousy towards RCB that eventually manifested into this tragedy cutting short or maybe even completely stop the supposed longest celebration my city ever saw. Hope you are happy now. 

Those 11 souls which could form a cricket team in itself are watching from somewhere, looking at you, asking... WHY...

we see you. We grieve you. You deserved better. You deserved to live a longer, flourished life. 

And yet, as every RCB fan knows too well, we're the Royal Challengers of Bengaluru- from ashes, we rise.

This cup may have taken 18 years. The celebration may have lasted only a day. But our spirit? That’s eternal. Will Last forever. 

We are RCB. Champions in spirit. Champions in name.

This cup is ours—today, tomorrow, forever.

ಈ ಸಲ ಕಪ್ ನಮ್ದೇ... 

ನಮ್ದೇನೇ...

ಇಂದು...

ಎಂದು... 

ಎಂದೆಂದು ... ❤️💛

– @я(_)η™👊🏽