RCB’s second IPL crown sets Vizag’s Beach Road alight for Virat Kohli

By the time Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) crossed the 150-run mark in the IPL final on Sunday night (May 31, 2026), the mood on Visakhapatnam Beach Road had already started to change. Cricket followers, many of whom were glued to big screens and mobile phones, began to move towards the city’s waterfront, sensing that RCB had another game on their hands.

What unfolded over the next few hours wasn’t just a celebration of a franchise victory. This was a tribute to Virat Kohli in many ways.

As the crowds grew along the beach, the iconic number 18 jersey emerged as the night’s defining symbol. Young people held it above their heads, shook it from moving vehicles and passed it around like a precious relic. Many jerseys bearing the iconic number 18 were waved and chants of “Virat Kohli” and “RCB” echoed along the beach. Mobile phone flashlights illuminated banners and jerseys as fans recorded unforgettable memories.

The scenes reflected the unique nature of RCB’s support base. For a generation of cricket followers, the franchise’s identity has become inseparable from Kohli’s. In the final, the former India skipper took to the biggest stage once again, remaining unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls and leading RCB to a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans. The innings earned him the Player of the Match award and helped Bengaluru clinch a second successive IPL title.

Kohli’s appeal extends far beyond the franchise. At cricket coaching camps in Visakhapatnam, kids consistently cite him as one of their top role models, alongside stalwarts like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. But on Sunday night, as admiration for the batsman found public expression on the city’s waterfront, it was Kohli who occupied center stage.

Fireworks lit up parts of Beach Road as fans cheered. Some danced on top of vehicles, while others carried replica trophies through the crowd. Anticipating large gatherings, police personnel maintained a visible presence on key stretches of road and major intersections. Their deployment helped regulate traffic and keep the celebrations orderly, even as hundreds of people gathered on the beach after the result was almost certain.

Cricket fans watch the IPL final on the big screen at Inorbit Mall in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. | Photo Credit: V. Raju

As midnight approached, the festivities showed little sign of abating. On a coastline accustomed to evening walks and quiet conversations, one name echoed repeatedly in the night sky: Virat Kohli.