Years Of Wait Ends in Glory
Ahmedabad, June 3, 2025 – Dreams came true on the grand stage at Narendra Modi Stadium, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made history by winning its first Indian Premier League (IPL) title. RCB defeated Punjab Kings
(PBKS) by 6 runs in a thrilling final that marked the end of an 18-year journey filled with heartache, loyalty, and belief.
Everything about the night had cinematic energy, from the loyal fans who packed the stands, to Virat Kohli’s tears of joy; it really embodied the pride of determination, teamwork, and undying fandom.
Match Summary – IPL 2025 Final
🏏 RCB: 190/9 (20 overs)
Top scorer: Virat Kohli – 43 (35)
Key Cameos: Rajat Patidar – 26 (16), Romario Shepherd – 17 (9)
Top PBKS bowlers: Arshdeep Singh – 3/40, Kyle Jamieson – 3/48
🏏 PBKS: 184/7 (20 overs)
Top scorer: Shashank Singh – 46 (12)*
Key Contributors: Josh Inglis – 39 (23)
Top RCB bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 2/26, Krunal Pandya – 2/17
Turning Points of the Match
- Arshdeep’s redemption over: Arshdeep began poorly, giving away 37 off his first 3 overs, then came good after striking three times in the 19th over, reining it back in.
- Bhuvneshwar’s Game-Changing Momentum: Bhuvneshwar turned the heat up in the 17th over by taking out two dangerous batters (Wadhera & Stoinis) in one over.
- Hazlewood’s nerve in final over: Hazlewood made the right decisions in his last over despite being hit for 22 off the last six balls in high pressure circumstances.
PBKS’s Brave Chase Falls Short
PBKS started in a strong fashion with the opening stand between Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh at 43. Once the wickets of Arya then Iyer, and even Inglis fell soon after, the chase collapsed for PBKS. Ultimately, Shashank Singh’s fireworks at the end gave PBKS hope, but 29 runs off the last over was too much for support.
Tears, Cheers & Timeless Memories
- RCB’s longest-serving player, Virat Kohli, could no longer hold back his emotional tears. After 18 seasons, with the number 18 on his back, he knelt in incredulity & gratitude.
- As Kohli did that, AB de Villiers in the crowd also lost it, celebrating with joy, in an emotional link to past RCB seasons.
- Kohli’s folded-hand gesture to the fans is a humble and connected moment that will be emboldened in the history of the game.
- All of the players carried the trophy not just for themselves, but for each of the fans who remain loyal to RCB after all the years.
Strategic Masterstrokes
- Krunal Pandya was the surprise package—2/17 and the key wicket of Inglis.
- Fielding brilliance: From Phil Salt’s flying catch to Jitesh’s sharp glovework, RCB held their nerves in crunch moments.
- Captaincy by Rajat Patidar: Calm under pressure, bold with his bowling changes, he proved his mettle on the biggest night.
Weather Held Up Its End
While forecasts suggested rain and 66% cloud cover in Ahmedabad on Sunday, nature also seemed to be a fan of RCB. By the time the match was to begin, the skies cleared, and the stage was set for a clear, dry final.
Playing XIs
RCB: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood
PBKS: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (w), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh,
Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
The Wait is Over, and the Cup is Ours!
This night was not simply a win, this was closure. For 17 years RCB has been “almost” everything. Finalist, semi-finalist, and fodder for the memes. No longer.
From Mysore to Mandya, from Bellary to Bengaluru, the night sky lit up with fireworks and the chants of “RCB! RCB!” rang in homes and hearts.
RCB are IPL Champions 2025. And this time bumper really is Namde.
