In a night of high drama and raw emotion, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended their 18-year-long title drought by lifting their maiden IPL trophy. RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by a narrow margin of 6 runs in the IPL 2025 final held at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The victory sparked emotional scenes as Virat Kohli, the face of the franchise for over a decade, was seen in tears, overcome by the weight of long-awaited glory. The game-changer of the tournament, Rajat Patidar, played a key role once again, capping a dream season with silverware.
RCB Struggle Early But Reach 190/9
Batting first, RCB had a rocky start, losing Phil Salt early for 16. The powerplay yielded just 55/1, and Mayank Agarwal fell soon after for 24. Virat Kohli played a composed knock of 43 (35 balls) but struggled to find acceleration.
Crucial middle-order cameos from Rajat Patidar (26 off 16), Liam Livingstone (25 off 15), Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10), and Romario Shepherd (17 off 9) helped RCB post a competitive 190/9 in 20 overs.
Krunal Pandya’s Magic and RCB’s Relentless Bowling
PBKS began cautiously, with Priyansh Arya (24) and Prabhsimran Singh putting on a 43-run stand. However, Krunal Pandya turned the tide, delivering a match-defining spell of 2/17 in 4 overs, removing both openers and tightening the noose on PBKS.
Shreyas Iyer, who had powered PBKS in the previous knockout, fell cheaply to Romario Shepherd, managing only 1 run. Despite efforts from the lower middle-order, PBKS crumbled under pressure and fell short by 6 runs, handing RCB their first-ever IPL trophy.
An Underdog Triumph
Labeled as one of the weakest teams at the auction, RCB defied expectations and clinched the most coveted prize in Indian franchise cricket. This historic win not only silenced critics but also brought immense joy to their loyal fan base, who have stood by the team through thick and thin.
