Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL 2025 win has set US social media ablaze, driven by cricket’s growing Stateside appeal and Virat Kohli’s emotional victory. After 18 years, RCB’s first title is a global sensation.
Why RCB’s Win Trends in the USA
Cricket’s rise in the USA, sparked by the 2024 T20 World Cup, has fueled interest in the IPL. RCB’s thrilling 6-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) on June 3, 2025, at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, streamed on JioHotstar, drew 1.4 billion views, captivating American fans.
Game Highlights and Stats
- Final Thriller: RCB defended 169, with Krunal Pandya’s spell and Josh Hazlewood’s 3/21 sealing victory.
- Key Performers: Kohli led with 505 runs; Phil Salt smashed 56* off 27 in Qualifier 1.
- Viewership: 49.6 billion watch minutes, with a 40% surge in US connected TV viewership.
Social Media Erupts
RCB’s Instagram crashed with 20.8M followers flooding posts. cricbuzz trended with #CongratulationsRCB, US fans posting, “Kohli’s passion is electric!” Drake’s $750,000 bet on RCB, earning $1.3M, went viral, alongside Rishi Sunak’s “Let’s go RCB” post.[](https://cricbuzz.com/RCBTweets/status/1929959849510744410)
Why It’s Trending Now
The US Indian diaspora and cricket’s growing fanbase, amplified by Kohli’s star power and RCB’s dramatic win, drive the buzz. Posts on cricbuzz show US fans embracing T20’s fast pace, with #RCB trending for days.
Future Implications
RCB’s win could accelerate cricket’s US growth, with potential IPL exhibitions planned. By 2030, cricket may rival soccer in popularity, with RCB’s global brand leading the charge.[](https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scores/118928/rcb-vs-pbks-final-indian-premier-league-2025)