MS Dhoni broke his silence on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title win in 2025, admitting he cannot imagine any team other than Chennai Super Kings winning the trophy but acknowledged RCB’s long-awaited triumph was well-deserved . Speaking at an event in a video that has gone viral on social media, the legendary CSK captain congratulated Virat Kohli’s team for ending their 18-year trophy drought .

Dhoni’s honest reaction to RCB’s historic win

“If I’m part of CSK, I can’t imagine any other team winning the IPL. But it was long-awaited and they played very well. Big congratulations to them and I said it even then,” Dhoni said . He added that as a participant in the competition, everyone wants their own team to win, but it is equally important to learn from other teams, which is crucial in a tournament like the IPL .

Dhoni’s tribute to RCB’s passionate fanbase

The former India captain also showed special appreciation for RCB’s devoted supporters, praising their unwavering loyalty. “RCB fans have been brilliant. Every time there is a game, they come and support their team, even when the chips are down,” Dhoni said . RCB’s fanbase has been one of the most passionate in the IPL despite the team’s struggles over the years, filling stadiums and backing their side through multiple heartbreaks before finally celebrating a title in 2025.

Dhoni’s IPL legacy vs RCB’s breakthrough

Dhoni is the most successful captain in IPL history, having led CSK to a record 10 finals and winning the title five times . Ironically, CSK’s second title in 2011 came with a victory over RCB in the final, one of three summit clashes that Kohli’s team lost before their 2025 triumph . Prior to 2025, RCB had finished runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016, building a reputation as the nearly-men of the IPL .

RCB’s 2025 breakthrough

Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB finally put together all the pieces of the puzzle in 2025, beating Punjab Kings in the final to lift their first-ever IPL trophy . The victory ended years of frustration for the franchise and their loyal supporters, who had endured countless playoff disappointments and near-misses.

Dhoni gears up for IPL 2026

Meanwhile, Dhoni is set to feature for CSK once again in IPL 2026, continuing his remarkable journey with the franchise . At 44 years old, the wicketkeeper-batter remains one of the biggest draws in the tournament and will look to add a sixth IPL title to his already legendary career.