In a historic finale at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title on June 3, 2025, defeating the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by a narrow margin of six runs. This victory marked the culmination of an 18-year journey for RCB and its stalwart captain, Virat Kohli, who had been with the franchise since its inception in 2008.
🏆 A Long-Awaited Triumph
RCB journey to the final was a testament to resilience and determination. After a challenging start to the season, the team found their rhythm and advanced to the playoffs. The final against PBKS was a culmination of years of hard work and perseverance, with the team shedding their “underachievers” tag .
📊 Match Summary
RCB Innings:
- Total: 190/9 (20 overs)
- Top Scorer: Virat Kohli – 43 runs off 35 balls
- Key Contributions: Shreyas Gopal (17), Dinesh Karthik (28 off 10 balls), and Romario Shepherd (17 off 9 balls)
- Wickets: Arshdeep Singh (3/31), Kyle Jamieson (3/34), and Omarzai (1/34)
PBKS Innings:
- Total: 184/7 (20 overs)
- Top Scorer: Shashank Singh – 61* runs off 30 balls
- Key Contributions: Shreyas Iyer (24), Marcus Stoinis (22), and Jitesh Sharma (24)
- Wickets: Krunal Pandya (2/17), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/38), and Romario Shepherd (1/26)
🌟 Match Highlights
RCB’s innings began with an early setback as opener Phil Salt was dismissed cheaply. However, Virat Kohli steadied the ship, anchoring the innings with a composed 43. Contributions from Dinesh Karthik and Romario Shepherd propelled RCB to a competitive total of 190/9.
In response, PBKS started cautiously, losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite a valiant 61* from Shashank Singh, PBKS fell short, managing 184/7 in their 20 overs. RCB’s bowlers, led by Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, executed their plans effectively, especially in the death overs, to seal the victory .
🏅 Award Winners
- Player of the Match: Krunal Pandya – 2 wickets for 17 runs
- Player of the Series: Virat Kohli – 771 runs in the season
- Best Young Player: Shashank Singh – 61* runs off 30 balls in the final
- Fair Play Award: RCB
🎉 Emotional Celebrations
The victory was a moment of immense pride for RCB and its fans. Virat Kohli, visibly emotional, dedicated the win to the loyal supporters who had stood by the team through thick and thin. His wife, actress Anushka Sharma, joined him on the field, sharing in the joy of the moment .
🏏 Looking Ahead
With this historic win, RCB has established itself as a formidable force in the IPL. The team’s blend of experienced campaigners and young talents promises a bright future. As they bask in the glory of their maiden title, RCB’s triumph serves as an inspiration to teams and players aiming to achieve greatness in the IPL.