One of the most heartwarming moments of the IPL 2025 final came after the last ball was bowled — as Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers shared a long, emotional hug on the field, moments after Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their first-ever IPL title.

RCB defeated Punjab Kings by 6 runs to finally end their 17-year wait for an IPL trophy. As the players celebrated and fans chanted “RCB, RCB” in the stands, cameras caught the touching moment between two of the franchise’s greatest icons — Kohli and de Villiers.

AB de Villiers, who retired from IPL in 2021 but remains deeply connected with RCB, was present at the Narendra Modi Stadium for the final. As soon as the match ended, he rushed onto the field and embraced an emotional Kohli, who was already in tears. The two shared a long hug, both visibly overwhelmed by the occasion.

For years, Kohli and de Villiers had carried RCB’s hopes on their shoulders, forming one of IPL’s most beloved partnerships. Though de Villiers wasn’t part of this playing squad, the victory clearly meant just as much to him as to Kohli and the current team.

The hug quickly went viral on social media, with fans calling it “the most emotional moment of IPL 2025” — a perfect symbol of loyalty, brotherhood, and the journey RCB has been through over the years.