Ahmedabad, June 3, 2025 – In a thrilling finale at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs. This victory ends an 18-year quest for the elusive trophy, marking a monumental moment in the franchise’s history.
Match Summary
- RCB Innings: 190/9 (20 overs)
- PBKS Innings: 184/7 (20 overs)
- Result: RCB won by 6 runs
After being put into bat, RCB posted a competitive total of 190 runs. Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a steady 43 off 35 balls, while other contributions kept the scoreboard ticking. Despite a valiant chase, PBKS fell short, finishing at 184/7.
- Virat Kohli: Top-scored for RCB with 43 runs, providing stability to the innings.
- Krunal Pandya: Delivered a match-winning bowling performance, taking 2 wickets for 17 runs in his 4 overs. Player of the Match
- Josh Inglis (PBKS): Scored a quickfire 39, keeping PBKS in the hunt during the chase.
- Shashank Singh (PBKS): Unleashed a late onslaught, scoring 22 runs in the final over, but it wasn’t enough to cross the line.
RCB’s IPL Final Appearances
| Year | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Deccan Chargers | Lost |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | Lost |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Lost |
| 2025 | Punjab Kings | Won (6 runs) |
RCB reached the final four times before 2025, finishing as runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016.
Emotional Triumph for Kohli
For Virat Kohli, this victory was more than just a title; it was the culmination of years of dedication. Having been part of RCB since the inaugural season in 2008, Kohli had experienced multiple near-misses, including finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016. Post-match, an emotional Kohli dedicated the win to former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, acknowledging their contributions to the team’s journey.
“I have spent my prime years with them. I know how much we tried to win this. We were so close a couple of times, and we were such a good team; we had the explosiveness, but we could never cross the line. We gave our prime years to this franchise.” – Virat Kohli
RCB’s triumph in IPL 2025 not only ends a long-standing title drought but also sets the stage for a new era of success. With a balanced squad and renewed confidence, the franchise will aim to build on this momentum in the coming seasons.
IPL 2025 Season Awards – Highlights
Emerging Player: Sai Sudharsan
Super Striker of the Season: Vaibhav Suryavanshi – The young sensation made headlines with his fearless hitting and explosive strike rate.
Super Sixes of the Season: Nicolas Pooran – Led the sixes chart with consistent ball-clearing feats throughout the tournament.
On the Go Fours of the Season: Sai Sudharsan – Also claimed the most fours this season, showing his ability to rotate strike and pierce gaps at will.
Green Dot Ball of the Season: Mohammed Siraj – GT’s spearhead bowled with precision and fire, leading the chart for dot balls bowled.
Catch of the Season: Kamindu Mendis – A spectacular boundary-line stunner that had fans and pundits applauding his athleticism.
Fair Play Award: Chennai Super Kings – CSK once again upheld the spirit of the game and were awarded for their on-field conduct.
Purple Cap: Prasidh Krishna – Finished as the leading wicket-taker of the season, consistently striking in the powerplay and death overs.
Orange Cap: Sai Sudharsan – The Gujarat Titans opener was the most prolific run-scorer of the tournament, capping off a dream season.
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Suryakumar Yadav – Played defining innings under pressure and delivered match-winning performances throughout the league.
The 2025 season will be remembered not just for RCB’s emotional triumph, but also for the rise of new stars and the reaffirmation of old ones. Each award reflects a story of excellence, grit, and pure cricketing passion.
For a detailed scorecard and more insights, you can refer to the official IPL match report.
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