Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in the final to clinch their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title 2025. The Rajat Patidar-led side, which has cricketing icon Virat Kohli, ended its 18-year-long wait for a maiden IPL trophy. An emotional Virat Kohli was visibly overwhelmed in tears, having at last lifted the coveted trophy he had long dreamed of. 29 runs were required off the last over and Shashank Singh tried hard by hitting 22 runs, but in the end it was RCB’s night as their wait his finally over.
Opting to bowl first, PBKS restricted RCB to 190 for 9, with Arshdeep Singh (3 for 40) and Kyle Jamieson (3 for 48) being the major contributors. Virat Kohli was the top scorer for RCB with 43 off 35. RCB never got going in the innings and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. In reply, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2 for 38) and Krunal Pandya (2 for 17) bowled magical spells to stop PBKS at 184 for 7 in 20 overs.
Punjab Kings would’ve fancied themselves to chase 191 down, but some excellent middle overs, led by Krunal Pandya’s miserly spell, made the difference. In Qualifier 1, RCB had defeated PBKS without breaking a sweat as the Kings’ batting imploded. RCB made their way into the final while PBKS had to take on Mumbai Indians, the winners of the Eliminator. With Mumbai almost running away with the win on Sunday, captain Iyer stepped up at the most opportune time and blasted an unbeaten 87 to guide Punjab to the final.
The Punjab Kings had made it to an IPL final 11 years ago and only once since 2008 before Tuesday’s final. The Punjab Kings were given an adventurous start by Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh as the opening pair put on 43 in five overs. Josh Hazlewood then provided the breakthrough with Phil Salt taking a brilliant catch in the deep to send back the left-handed Priyansh. RCB have posted 190/9 from their 20 overs against Punjab Kings.
This is the second time Punjab have reached the final of the IPL. Previously, in 2014, they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. And RCB have reached the final four times before, last time in 2016 when they lost to Sunrisers. Hyderabad.
