Chennai/Ahmedabad: The 18 year long wait is over. The moment of reckoning for master batsman, RCB stalwart, mainstay and former skipper Virat Kohli has arrived for the Jersey No.18.
The number is 18. The standing with RCB is 18 years. The wait ended in the 18th edition.
Call it a sheer coincidence or superstition the date is 3/6/2025, which too adds up to 18, Kohli's number.
It was a perfect season for the star, who had fashioned big chase in the league phase that culminated in his long cherished dream of laying his hands on the coveted IPL trophy.
It was truly a defining moment as RCB has not lost any match when he shone with the bat, especially with chasing, but for a different time today for defending, as RCB coasted home by six runs in a tense summit clash.
If Shashank had hit the first ball full of low toss of pacer Josh Hazlewood for a six having connected it, things would been different.
It was a different matter as he smashed more sixers, but fell short by one maximum.
But if and buts will not come into picture as they were part and parcel of game.
Ultimately, despite Shashank's heroics in the final over after Kohli underwent tense moments by his own admission, his dream has come true as RCB celebrated.
At last, the Number 18's dream was fulfilled in the 18th edition.