The team defeated Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final held on Tuesday.
Former owner Vijay Mallya celebrated RCB’s victory on social media, reflecting on his contributions.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru Clinch Maiden IPL Title in 2025 Final Against Punjab Kings
On June 3, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended an 18-year quest for glory by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This historic victory marked RCB’s first IPL title, a monumental achievement for a franchise that has been a cornerstone of the league since its inception in 2008. The match, played under warm evening conditions, showcased RCB’s balanced performance and resilience, culminating in emotional celebrations led by stalwart Virat Kohli.
Match Overview
RCB, batting first after Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to field, posted a competitive total of 190 for 9 in their 20 overs. Virat Kohli anchored the innings with 43 runs off 35 balls, forming key partnerships with Phil Salt (19 off 14) and captain Rajat Patidar (26 off 21). Despite regular wickets falling, late contributions from Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10) and Romario Shepherd (17 off 9) propelled RCB to a defendable total. Punjab Kings’ bowlers, led by Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep Singh, each claimed three wickets, with Jamieson’s slower leg-cutters proving particularly effective on a pitch with tennis-ball bounce.
In response, Punjab Kings fought valiantly but finished at 184 for 7, falling short by six runs. Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 off 30 balls, including six sixes, kept PBKS in the chase, but RCB’s disciplined bowling, spearheaded by Krunal Pandya, ensured victory. Pandya’s economical spell of 2 for 17 in four overs, dismissing key batsmen Prabhsimran Singh (26 off 22) and another top-order batter, earned him the Player of the Match award. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2 for 38) and Yash Dayal (1 wicket) also played crucial roles in containing PBKS, particularly in the tense final overs.
Key Moments
The match was defined by several pivotal moments. RCB’s innings saw steady but interrupted partnerships, with no batter reaching a half-century. Kohli’s dismissal, caught and bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai, was a setback, but Jitesh Sharma’s explosive 24, including two sixes off Kyle Jamieson, provided a late surge. Punjab’s chase started strongly with 70 for 1 after eight overs, but Pandya’s breakthrough dismissal of Prabhsimran Singh shifted momentum. Shashank Singh’s aggressive batting in the final over, where he hit three sixes off Josh Hazlewood, brought PBKS close, but Hazlewood defended 29 runs to secure the win.
The match was also notable for its high-scoring nature, with 23 sixes hit, matching the IPL final record set in 2016. Punjab’s 14 sixes were the most by a team in an IPL final, surpassing previous records.
Award Winners
The IPL 2025 final and season concluded with several individual accolades:
- Player of the Match (Final): Krunal Pandya, for his match-defining bowling performance of 2 for 17 in four overs.
- Player of the Tournament (Most Valuable Player): Suryakumar Yadav, recognized for his consistent match-winning contributions throughout the season.
- Purple Cap: Prasidh Krishna, who topped the wicket-takers’ list with 25 wickets, excelling in powerplay and death overs.
- Orange Cap: Sai Sudharsan, the leading run-scorer of the season, anchoring Gujarat Titans’ batting lineup.
- Super Striker (Final): Jitesh Sharma, for his rapid 24 off 10 balls.
- Super Sixes (Final): Shashank Singh, for his six sixes in the chase.
- On the Go Fours (Final): Priyansh Arya, for his early boundaries that set the tone for PBKS.
- Green Dot Ball (Final): Krunal Pandya, for his ability to bowl pressure dot balls.
- Emerging Player of the Year: Sai Sudharsan, for his standout batting performances.
- Fair Play Award: Chennai Super Kings, for their exemplary on-field conduct.
Emotional Milestone for RCB
The victory was particularly poignant for Virat Kohli, who has been with RCB since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. Kohli, who collapsed to his knees in tears after the final ball, described the win as a career highlight, emphasizing his loyalty to the franchise. “This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. I’ve given this team my youth and my prime. I never thought this day would come,” he said during the post-match presentation. He also paid tribute to former teammate AB de Villiers, who was present at the venue, stating, “What ABD has done for this franchise is tremendous. This is as much his as it is ours.”
RCB’s former owner, Vijay Mallya, who played a key role in building the franchise and selecting players like Kohli, Chris Gayle, and de Villiers, celebrated the triumph on social media. “When I founded RCB, it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. Congratulations to all who made my dream come true,” Mallya wrote, acknowledging the team’s journey and the loyalty of its fans.
Team Performances and Leadership
Under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar, RCB displayed a balanced approach throughout the tournament. Patidar, in his first season as captain, led with composure, guiding RCB to their fourth IPL final and first title. He praised the team’s execution, particularly the bowling unit’s performance on a batting-friendly surface. “The way bowlers executed their plans was tremendous. Krunal is a wicket-taking bowler, and Suyash bowled really well throughout the season,” Patidar noted.
Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, showed resilience despite the loss. Iyer, who became the first captain to lead three different franchises to IPL finals (Delhi Capitals in 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, and PBKS in 2025), expressed pride in his team’s effort. “Krunal was phenomenal, and that was the turning point. I’m proud of our youngsters’ fearlessness,” he said, reflecting on the season.
Historical Context
RCB’s victory marked the end of a long-standing drought, having previously lost finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016. The win also broke the “Holy Trinity” narrative, a term used to describe RCB, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals as the original IPL franchises without a title. With RCB now crowned champions, only Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals remain without an IPL trophy.
The match was the second IPL final appearance for Punjab Kings, who lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014. Despite their strong season, topping the league stage and defeating Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, PBKS fell short in the final hurdle.
Celebrations and Legacy
The victory sparked wild celebrations in Bengaluru, with fans taking to the streets and police managing jubilant crowds. RCB’s social media channels were flooded with messages of joy, with the team’s slogan “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This time, the cup is ours) resonating across platforms. The presence of RCB legends Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers at the stadium added to the emotional weight of the moment, with both players joining the team on the podium.
RCB’s triumph, backed by a prize of INR 20 crores, underscored their consistency and depth, with contributions from both veterans and emerging talents. Punjab Kings, receiving INR 12.5 crores as runners-up, will look to build on their strong 2025 campaign in future seasons.
The IPL 2025 final was a testament to RCB’s perseverance and Punjab Kings’ fighting spirit. For RCB, the victory was a culmination of years of heartbreak, driven by the passion of players like Virat Kohli and the strategic leadership of Rajat Patidar. As Bengaluru celebrated its first IPL title, the match left an indelible mark on the tournament’s history, proving that patience and belief can overcome even the longest of droughts.
