RCB Clinches Maiden IPL 2025 Title in Thrilling 6-Run Victory Over PBKS
Ahmedabad/Patiala, June 4 (Sports Desk)
A Historic Triumph for Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended their 18-year wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in a nail-biting IPL 2025 final on Tuesday. This victory marked RCB’s first-ever IPL trophy, a moment of redemption for a franchise that had previously reached the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016 but fell short each time. Led by captain Rajat Patidar and featuring cricketing icon Virat Kohli, RCB showcased resilience and skill to claim the coveted title in their fourth final appearance.
Match Summary
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to restrict RCB on a batting-friendly pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium. RCB posted a competitive total of 190 for 9 in their 20 overs, a score that appeared below par at the interval but proved just enough in the end. In response, PBKS fought hard but fell short at 184 for 7, handing RCB a historic 6-run victory.
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RCB Innings: Kohli Anchors, Late Surge Helps
RCB’s batting innings got off to a steady start with opener Phil Salt and Virat Kohli at the crease. Kohli scored a vital 43 off 35 balls, anchoring the innings with his trademark composure. He struck his first boundary in the IPL 2025 final by flicking a full delivery on the pads towards fine-leg for four and later hammered another four through mid-wicket with excellent placement. However, Kohli fell short of a half-century when he mistimed a bouncer from Azmatullah Omarzai, skying it for a diving catch by the bowler himself.
The middle overs saw RCB struggle as PBKS bowlers struck at regular intervals. Arshdeep Singh (3 for 40) and Kyle Jamieson (3 for 48) were the standout performers for PBKS, keeping RCB’s scoring in check. A late cameo from Jitesh Sharma, who smashed 24 off just 10 balls, including consecutive fours off Arshdeep Singh in the 16th over and two audacious sixes off Jamieson in the 17th, provided the much-needed momentum. Despite the late surge, RCB’s total of 190 for 9 seemed defendable but not imposing on a high-scoring venue.
PBKS Innings: A Valiant Chase Falls Short
Chasing 191, PBKS started strongly with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh at the top. Prabhsimran scored 26 off 22 balls, including two sixes, before being dismissed by Krunal Pandya, caught by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Early breakthroughs continued as Romario Shepherd dismissed PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer for just 1 run, caught behind by Jitesh Sharma. Josh Inglis contributed 38 off 21 balls, smashing 20 runs off a single over from Jasprit Bumrah earlier in the tournament, but fell to a well-executed slower ball by Yash Dayal, with substitute fielder Manoj Bhandage taking a sharp catch at backward point.
The middle overs proved decisive as RCB’s bowlers, led by Krunal Pandya (2 for 17) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2 for 38), applied relentless pressure. Pandya’s miserly spell in the middle overs was pivotal, earning him the Player of the Match award in the final—his second such honor in an IPL final after 2017 with Mumbai Indians. Marcus Stoinis (6) and Azmatullah Omarzai also fell quickly, leaving PBKS struggling. Despite a late fightback, PBKS could only manage 184 for 7, falling 6 runs short of the target. Yash Dayal’s tight death bowling, conceding just 18 runs in 3 overs while picking up a wicket, sealed the deal for RCB.
Key Performances
- Virat Kohli (RCB): 43 off 35 balls, anchoring the innings with crucial boundaries.
- Jitesh Sharma (RCB): 24 off 10 balls, providing a late surge with aggressive strokeplay.
- Krunal Pandya (RCB): 2 for 17 in 4 overs, named Player of the Match for his match-defining spell.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB): 2 for 38 in 4 overs, striking key blows in the middle overs.
- Arshdeep Singh (PBKS): 3 for 40 in 4 overs, leading the bowling attack for PBKS.
- Kyle Jamieson (PBKS): 3 for 48 in 4 overs, picking up crucial wickets to restrict RCB.
- Josh Inglis (PBKS): 38 off 21 balls, giving PBKS a strong start in the chase.
Emotional Celebrations and Reflections
The victory sparked emotional scenes on the field, with Virat Kohli, who has been with RCB since the IPL’s inception in 2008, visibly moved. Kohli fell to the ground, overcome with emotion, as his teammates mobbed him in celebration. “This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It has been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, prime, and experience. I’ve tried to win it every season, and I gave it everything I have. To finally have the IPL title is an unbelievable feeling,” Kohli said in a post-match interview. He emphasized his deep connection with Bengaluru, stating, “My heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore. This is the team I’m going to play for till the last day I play the IPL.”
Krunal Pandya, who played a starring role, reflected on his strategy: “When we batted, we realized the slower you bowl, the better it is. I just backed myself, thought I’d vary my pace and keep it on the slower side more often. My biggest strength has been to learn what the situation requires.” Pandya’s performance added to his legacy, marking his fourth IPL title (2017, 2019, 2020 with Mumbai Indians, and now 2025 with RCB).
For PBKS, the loss marked their second defeat in an IPL final, having previously lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014. Despite topping the regular season table, PBKS couldn’t cross the final hurdle. Captain Shreyas Iyer, who led PBKS to their first final since 2014, collected the runners-up cheque of INR 12.5 crore but expressed disappointment at falling short.
Awards and Recognitions
- Player of the Match: Krunal Pandya (RCB) for his match-winning bowling performance.
- Orange Cap: B Sai Sudharsan for scoring 759 runs in IPL 2025.
- Purple Cap: Prasidh Krishna for taking 25 wickets in the season.
- Most Sixes: Nicholas Pooran (40 sixes), with Romario Shepherd collecting the award on his behalf.
- Most Fours: Sai Sudharsan (88 fours).
- Catch of the Season: Kamindu Mendis for a spectacular catch to dismiss Dewald Brevis.
Journey to the Final
RCB’s road to the title was marked by consistent performances throughout the season. They finished second in the league stage with 19 points, just behind PBKS on net run-rate. In Qualifier 1, RCB thrashed PBKS by 8 wickets, chasing down 101 in just 14.1 overs, with Phil Salt’s unbeaten 56 off 27 balls leading the charge. PBKS, meanwhile, bounced back in Qualifier 2, defeating Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets, with Shreyas Iyer’s clinical finish (87 off 41 balls) setting up the final showdown.
A New Champion Emerges
The IPL 2025 final marked the first time in 18 years that either RCB or PBKS reached the summit, and for RCB, it was a moment of catharsis. The victory broke the so-called “Holy Trinity” of trophy-less IPL franchises (RCB, PBKS, and Delhi Capitals), a tag often used with irony by fans of these teams. Celebrations erupted in Bengaluru, with fans bursting crackers and taking to the streets to mark the historic win. Former RCB players like AB de Villiers, who was present at the ground, joined the celebrations, highlighting the emotional significance of the triumph.
For Punjab Kings, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow after a stellar season. However, their resurgence under Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting signals a promising future. As the IPL 2025 season concluded, RCB’s long-awaited triumph became the defining story, a testament to perseverance, loyalty, and the power of dreams in the world of cricket.
