The 2025 Indian Premier League final will be remembered as the night Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their 18-year title drought, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a dramatic, nerve-shredding contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This victory wasn’t just a cricketing triumph—it was a cathartic moment for millions of RCB fans, for Virat Kohli, and for a franchise that had so often come close, only to fall short.
The Match: A Final for the Ages
RCB Bat First: Grit Over Glamour
Put in to bat under pressure-filled skies, RCB’s innings was a study in resilience. The opening partnership between Phil Salt and Virat Kohli set the tone: Salt’s aggressive 16 off 9 balls provided early momentum, even as wickets fell at regular intervals. Kohli, anchoring the innings, top-scored with a patient 43 off 35 balls, refusing to let the Punjab bowlers dictate terms.
RCB’s middle order—Mayank Agarwal (24), Rajat Patidar (26), and Livingstone (25)—all chipped in, but it was Jitesh Sharma’s explosive 24 off just 10 balls in the death overs that proved decisive. His three massive sixes in the 17th over turned a par score into a competitive one, lifting RCB to 190/9 in 20 overs.
PBKS Bowling: Arshdeep and Jamieson Shine
For PBKS, Arshdeep Singh (3/40) and Kyle Jamieson (3/48) were the pick of the bowlers, striking regularly to keep RCB’s total within reach. Yet, a few expensive overs at the death—especially Jitesh’s assault on Jamieson—ultimately tilted the balance.
Punjab’s Chase: Momentum Swings and RCB’s Nerves of Steel
Chasing 191, Punjab Kings started brightly. Openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh raced to 70 by the 8th over, putting RCB on the back foot. Josh Inglis then took charge, scoring a brisk 39 off 23 balls, and at one stage, PBKS looked in full control.
But RCB’s fielding and bowling turned the tide. Phil Salt’s spectacular boundary catch to dismiss Priyansh was a turning point, injecting belief into the Bengaluru camp. Krunal Pandya, introduced in the middle overs, delivered a masterclass: 4 overs, 17 runs, 2 wickets, including the crucial scalps of Prabhsimran and Inglis. His spell throttled the scoring and triggered a PBKS collapse.
Nehal Wadhera (15 off 18) and Marcus Stoinis (6) fell quickly to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished with 2/38, using all his experience to bowl two game-changing overs at the death. Despite a valiant unbeaten 61 from Shashank Singh, PBKS finished on 184/7—just six runs short.
Key Factors Behind RCB’s Triumph
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Jitesh Sharma’s cameo | 24 off 10 balls gave RCB the late surge they needed |
| Krunal Pandya’s spell | 2/17 in 4 overs, broke PBKS’s momentum and took key wickets |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s death overs | Two wickets in a single over sealed the game in RCB’s favour |
| Phil Salt’s fielding | Game-changing catch to dismiss Priyansh Arya |
| Leadership | Rajat Patidar’s calm captaincy and Kohli’s experience kept RCB composed under pressure |
Emotional Aftermath: Kohli’s Redemption
As the final ball was bowled and RCB’s victory was sealed, Virat Kohli—who has carried the franchise’s hopes for nearly two decades—stood still, overwhelmed by emotion. “I’ve given this team my youth, my prime, my experience. Tried to win it every season, gave it everything I can. Never thought this day would come,” Kohli said, dedicating the win to the fans and to former teammates like AB de Villiers.
The celebrations in Bengaluru were unprecedented, with fans flooding the streets and the team parading their maiden trophy—a moment of vindication and joy after years of heartbreak6.
Tactical Analysis: How RCB Outplayed PBKS
- Balanced Contributions: RCB’s win was built on a collective effort—no single superstar performance, but a sequence of crucial cameos and disciplined bowling.
- Smart Captaincy: Rajat Patidar’s bowling changes and field placements, especially during PBKS’s middle overs, kept the pressure on.
- Fielding Excellence: RCB’s fielders saved at least 10-15 runs with their athleticism, making a tangible difference in a close contest.
- Death Bowling: Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal held their nerve, executing yorkers and slower balls to perfection in the final overs.
Legacy: The Night RCB Changed Their Fate
RCB’s 2025 IPL victory is more than just a title—it’s the culmination of years of hope, heartbreak, and relentless belief. For Kohli, Patidar, and every RCB fan, this was not just a win but a release, a rewriting of the franchise’s destiny.
“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team.” – Virat Kohli
The 2025 final will go down as one of the greatest in IPL history—a contest of skill, spirit, and raw emotion, where RCB finally, deservedly, became champions.
