RCB win IPL trophy
Ahmedabad, June 3, 2025 – In a heart-stopping finale to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by a narrow margin of 6 runs to claim their first-ever IPL title. The match, held at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, showcased a rollercoaster of emotions as RCB ended their 18-year wait for the coveted trophy.
After Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl, RCB posted a competitive 190/6 in their 20 overs. Virat Kohli led the charge with a composed 44 off 35 balls, anchoring the innings, while Rajat Patidar (26 off 16), Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10), and Romario Shepherd (17 off 9) provided crucial support. Though 190 appeared slightly below par on a pitch expected to favor batsmen, RCB’s bowlers turned the game in their favor.
Chasing 191, Punjab Kings fought valiantly but finished at 184/7, falling agonizingly short. Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 off 30 balls kept PBKS in the hunt till the final over, but RCB’s Krunal Pandya (2/17) and disciplined bowling attack ensured the victory. The match, played under warm and muggy conditions with temperatures around 29°C, lived up to its billing as a classic IPL final.
Key Moments of the Match
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch offered assistance to both batters and bowlers, setting the stage for a tightly contested battle. Punjab Kings struck early with Arshdeep Singh (3/40) and Kyle Jamieson (3/48) dismantling RCB’s middle order, but Kohli’s resilience held the innings together. In response, PBKS stumbled in the powerplay, losing key wickets, including captain Shreyas Iyer for just 1. Shashank Singh’s late onslaught brought them close, but Krunal Pandya’s decisive spell in the middle overs tilted the scales.
Historical Significance
For RCB, this victory marks the end of a long drought. Since the IPL’s inception in 2008, they had reached the final on four previous occasions—2009, 2011, 2016, and now 2025—only to falter at the final hurdle. This triumph, in their 18th season, makes them the 11th franchise to win the IPL title. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, suffered their second heartbreak in an IPL final, having lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014.
Virat Kohli, a stalwart for RCB since the league’s debut season, was visibly emotional as he lifted the trophy. “This is a dream come true. We’ve waited 18 years for this moment, and it’s finally here,” he said during the post-match presentation. Captain Rajat Patidar credited Kr unal Pandya’s match-turning performance, stating, “Krunal was the game-changer for us. His spell in the middle overs turned the match in our favor.”
Scorecard
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings: 190/6 (20 Overs)
- Philip Salt: 12 (8)
- Virat Kohli: 44 (35)
- Rajat Patidar (c): 26 (16)
- Liam Livingstone: 15 (12)
- Jitesh Sharma (wk): 24 (10)
- Romario Shepherd: 17 (9)
- Krunal Pandya: 8* (5)
- Extras: 10
- Bowling (PBKS): Arshdeep Singh 3/40, Kyle Jamieson 3/48, Yuzvendra Chahal 0/32
Punjab Kings Innings: 184/7 (20 Overs)
- Prabhsimran Singh: 18 (14)
- Josh Inglis (wk): 26 (22)
- Shreyas Iyer (c): 1 (2)
- Nehal Wadhera: 14 (10)
- Shashank Singh: 61 (30)*
- Marcus Stoinis: 22 (16)
- Azmatullah Omarzai: 8 (6)
- Extras: 8
- Bowling (RCB): Krunal Pandya 2/17, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/38, Yash Dayal 1/25, Josh Hazlewood 1/30
Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Impact Subs: Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Suyash Sharma
Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact Subs: Prabhsimran Singh, Praveen Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlet, Harpreet Brar
Past IPL Winners
- 2008: Rajasthan Royals
- 2009: Deccan Chargers
- 2010: Chennai Super Kings
- 2011: Chennai Super Kings
- 2012: Kolkata Knight Riders
- 2013: Mumbai Indians
- 2014: Kolkata Knight Riders
- 2015: Mumbai Indians
- 2016: Sunrisers Hyderabad
- 2017: Mumbai Indians
- 2018: Chennai Super Kings
- 2019: Mumbai Indians
- 2020: Mumbai Indians
- 2021: Chennai Super Kings
- 2022: Gujarat Titans
- 2023: Chennai Super Kings
- 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders
- 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB joins an elite list, becoming the eighth unique franchise to win the title, while Mumbai Indians (5) and Chennai Super Kings (5) remain the most successful teams.
Celebrations and Legacy
The RCB camp erupted in joy as fireworks lit up the Ahmedabad sky. Players took a victory lap, waving to a sea of red-clad fans who had waited nearly two decades for this moment. The closing ceremony featured a grand trophy presentation, with Kohli and Patidar hoisting the silverware amidst cheers.This victory not only ends RCB’s title drought but also cements their legacy as one of the IPL’s most resilient franchises. For Punjab Kings, it’s a tale of what could have been, but Shashank Singh’s heroics will be remembered as a highlight of their campaign.As the dust settles on IPL 2025, RCB’s triumph will be etched in cricketing lore—a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and the unyielding spirit of a franchise that refused to give up.
