RCB wins maiden IPL title after 18 years by beating PBKS

On June 3, 2025, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosted a monumental clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This high-stakes encounter marked a defining moment for both franchises, each desperate to end their long-standing title drought. RCB, with a legacy of passionate support and three prior final appearances (2009, 2011, and 2016), had yet to claim the coveted trophy. PBKS, reaching only their second final since 2014 (as Kings XI Punjab), were equally hungry to rewrite their history. Under the lights of the world’s largest cricket stadium, filled with 90,871 fervent fans, the stage was set for a night of drama, emotion, and cricketing brilliance.

RCB’s journey to the IPL 2025 final was a tale of redemption. Led by new captain Rajat Patidar, the team turned around years of near-misses with a spirited campaign. Finishing second in the league stage with nine wins, four losses, and one no-result in 14 matches, RCB showcased consistency. Their batting approach, aggressive yet calculated, was epitomized by Patidar’s leadership, with standout performances against Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians early in the season. In Qualifier 1, RCB demolished PBKS, bowling them out for 101 and chasing the total with ten overs to spare, signaling their intent. Virat Kohli, the franchise’s talisman, brought experience and grit, while a balanced bowling attack—featuring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, and the resurgent Krunal Pandya—proved lethal.

PBKS, under the calm leadership of Shreyas Iyer, topped the league stage with an identical record of nine wins, four losses, and one no-result. Their season began with a bang, posting 243 for 5 at Ahmedabad in their opening match, setting a tone of dominance. Despite a heavy loss to RCB in Qualifier 1, PBKS bounced back in Qualifier 2, with Iyer’s unbeaten 87 guiding them to chase 204 against Mumbai Indians with an over to spare. The batting firepower of Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Shashank Singh, combined with a versatile bowling unit led by Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson, made PBKS a formidable force. Their familiarity with Ahmedabad, having won both matches at the venue during the season, gave them a slight edge.

The anticipation for the final was palpable. Ahmedabad, despite initial concerns of rain, welcomed clear skies by match time, with temperatures at 30-33°C and humidity around 60%, promising ideal playing conditions. The Narendra Modi Stadium, a batting paradise with an average first-innings score of 219 in IPL 2025, had seen teams batting first win six of eight matches. Yet, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer defied the trend, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, banking on their chasing prowess demonstrated in Qualifier 2. Both teams fielded unchanged XIs, with RCB missing finisher Tim David due to a hamstring injury and PBKS relying on a fit Yuzvendra Chahal.

The Ahmedabad pitch, composed of 75% red soil and 25% black soil, offered consistent bounce and favored batters, with square boundaries at 61 and 67 meters and a straight boundary of 73 meters tempting big shots. However, clever bowlers could exploit shorter lengths with pace-off deliveries, as seen throughout the season. With a 0% chance of rain during the game, the stage was set for an uninterrupted thriller.

RCB’s Innings: 190/9 in 20 Overs

PBKS’s decision to bowl first paid early dividends. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli opened with intent, mixing aggression and control to build a 38-run stand before Salt fell for 16, caught by Iyer off Kyle Jamieson. Kohli, anchoring the innings, struggled for timing, particularly with his pull shot against PBKS’s pace-off tactics, scoring a sluggish 43 off 35 balls before holing out to a slower ball. Mayank Agarwal (24), Rajat Patidar (26), and Liam Livingstone (25) promised starts but fell to Jamieson’s clever slower legcutters and the disciplined bowling of Arshdeep Singh, who finished with 3 for 40. A late cameo from Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10) and Romario Shepherd (17) lifted RCB to 190 for 9, a competitive but not overpowering total on a high-scoring ground. Arshdeep and Jamieson, with three wickets each, kept PBKS in the game, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Vijaykumar Vyshak shared the rest.

PBKS’s Chase: 184/7 in 20 Overs

Chasing 191, PBKS started strongly, with openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh racing to 28 in three overs. A dropped catch of Prabhsimran by Romario Shepherd off Josh Hazlewood offered hope, but Hazlewood struck back, dismissing Arya for 24. Josh Inglis took charge, smashing 39 off 23 with four sixes, keeping PBKS in control at 70 by the eighth over. RCB, however, turned the tide with sharp fielding and tight bowling. Krunal Pandya’s match-defining spell of 2 for 17 in four overs removed Prabhsimran (26) and Inglis, choking the run flow. Romario Shepherd dealt a massive blow, dismissing the dangerous Shreyas Iyer for 1, fresh off his Qualifier 2 heroics.

Nehal Wadhera (15 off 18) and Marcus Stoinis (6) struggled under pressure, falling to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished with 2 for 38. With 55 needed off 23 balls, the task seemed daunting but not impossible. Shashank Singh, unbeaten on 61 off 30, unleashed a late assault, smashing Josh Hazlewood for 6, 4, 6, and 6 in the final over, but two dot balls early in the over had already sealed PBKS’s fate. Needing 29 off the last six balls, PBKS finished at 184 for 7, falling short by 6 runs. Yash Dayal’s tight 18th over (6 runs) and Bhuvneshwar’s double strike in the 17th were pivotal, while Krunal Pandya earned Player of the Match for his miserly spell.

Key Moments and Turning Points

• Phil Salt’s Early Dismissal: Jamieson’s slower ball broke RCB’s opening stand, setting a cautious tone.
• Kohli’s Struggle and Fall: Virat’s 43 off 35, lacking fluency, kept RCB below a 200-plus total, but his intent laid a foundation.
• Krunal Pandya’s Spell: His 2 for 17 in the middle overs, dismissing set batters, shifted momentum decisively to RCB.
• Shreyas Iyer’s Cheap Dismissal: Shepherd’s removal of Iyer for 1 derailed PBKS’s chase.
• Shashank’s Late Surge: His 61* off 30, including 23 runs off the final over, brought PBKS close but too late.
• Tight Death Overs: Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood’s discipline, with two dots to start the 20th, ensured RCB’s victory.

As the final ball confirmed RCB’s 6-run win, Virat Kohli, the heart and soul of the franchise for 18 years, collapsed to the ground in tears, overwhelmed by the end of a long wait. Teammates embraced him, and the Ahmedabad crowd roared in ecstasy. Rajat Patidar lifted the trophy alongside Kohli, joined by legends Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, who posed for photos in front of the “CHAMPIONS” hoarding. Fireworks and confetti lit up the night as RCB fans chanted “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” (“This time the cup is ours”) in Kannada, a cry of relief and pride after 18 years of heartbreak.

Kohli, emotional, dedicated the win to the fans, saying, “This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. I’ve given this team my youth, prime, and experience. To finally have it is an unbelievable feeling.” Patidar praised Kohli and credited Krunal Pandya’s spell, noting 190 was a par score defended brilliantly by the bowlers. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, dejected, acknowledged Krunal’s impact and rued the lack of momentum in the middle overs.

Key Performers

• Virat Kohli (RCB): Top-scored with 43 off 35, anchoring the innings despite a slow strike rate.
• Jitesh Sharma (RCB): A quick 24 off 10 provided late momentum.
• Krunal Pandya (RCB): Player of the Match, with 2 for 17 in 4 overs, turning the game in the middle.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB): 2 for 38, with key wickets in the 17th over, shifted momentum.
• Shashank Singh (PBKS): Unbeaten 61 off 30, a valiant effort in vain.
• Arshdeep Singh (PBKS): 3 for 40, led the bowling to restrict RCB to 190.
• Kyle Jamieson (PBKS): 3 for 48, used slower balls effectively to disrupt RCB’s batting.

RCB’s triumph marked their first IPL title in 18 attempts, ending a drought since the league’s inception in 2008. Their previous final losses came against Deccan Chargers (2009), Chennai Super Kings (2011), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016). PBKS, in their second final, mirrored their 2014 loss to Kolkata Knight Riders. Krunal Pandya became the first player to win Player of the Match in two IPL finals (2017 with MI, 2025 with RCB), adding to his four title wins. The 6-run margin tied with the 2009 final as one of the narrowest in IPL playoff history.

The victory sparked wild celebrations in Bengaluru, though an open bus parade was canceled due to a tragic stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed seven lives, tempering the joy. RCB’s win, built on a balanced team effort, showcased their evolution from a star-heavy, inconsistent side to a cohesive unit under Patidar’s leadership. For PBKS, the loss stung, but their strong season—topping the league stage and winning twice in Ahmedabad—offered hope for future campaigns.

The IPL 2025 final between RCB and PBKS was a fitting climax to a thrilling season, blending skill, strategy, and raw emotion. RCB’s 6-run victory on June 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium etched their name on the trophy, fulfilling the dreams of millions. Virat Kohli’s tears, Krunal Pandya’s heroics, and Shashank Singh’s late fight defined a night of high drama. As RCB celebrated their maiden title, the IPL crowned a new champion, ending one half of the “Holy Trinity” of trophy-less franchises. For PBKS, the wait continues, but the 2025 final will be remembered as a classic, a testament to cricket’s unpredictability and passion.