Kohli's RCB end a long 18-year drought and finally win their first IPL title in Thrilling 6-Run Victory

 

@Virat Kohli kisses the trophy after winning his first IPL title 2025

In the IPL 2025 final played on June 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title after beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs. With a target of 190, PBKS ended their innings at 184/7. RCB’s bowlers, guided by Krunal Pandya and help from consistent pace bowling, stayed calm at the end of the game. The achievement led to emotional celebrations, especially for RCB’s famous player Virat Kohli, who was seen crying, as he knew how difficult it had been for the team to win. This report examines the main highlights, top players and the mood after RCB won their big match

Match Overview :

The IPL 2025 final saw two teams compete who had both come close to winning before. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who came second in 2009, 2011 and 2016, played against Punjab Kings, who were the runners-up in 2014. Shreyas Iyer, as captain of PBKS, chose to bowl first, thinking that chasing would be easier under the Ahmedabad floodlights. RCB finished the first innings with 190/6 in 20 overs which seemed modest but became difficult to chase when the pitch slowed during the second innings. Shashank Singh tried his best for PBKS, but they could only score 184/7 which allowed RCB to win the IPL for the first time.

Kohli helps stabilize the middle of the innings while others in the team add to the batting strength :

Virat Kohli’s 43 from 35 balls kept RCB afloat even though he did not play with his usual ease. The pitch was known as a little sluggish, so Kohli’s ability to keep running the strike gave India plenty of scoring chances. Several batters on the team scored, although no one got to fifty. Captain Rajat Patidar added 26 runs to the total and Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma’s quick shooting brought RCB’s score to 190/6. PBKS’s bowlers, especially Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson, took three wickets each, but various expensive overs such as those in the 17th over by Jamieson, allowed RCB to total a good score.

The fact that no one batsman stood out meant RCB showed strong teamwork in their batting. Krunal Pandya explained that the second innings saw a better batting pitch, so RCB were able to defend their total, thanks to their bowlers.

PBKS’s Chase : Stories of Narrow Escapes 

When they needed 191, PBKS began strongly but were slowed down early by the RCB bowlers. The fall of Priyansh Arya in the 5th over, caught out at mid-off as he tried a shot in the air off Josh Hazlewood, had a big impact on the game. It was obvious that Virat Kohli wanted Suyash Sharma to bowl early in the match because of Josh Inglis. Even though captain Patidar waited until the eighth over, it was Krunal Pandya and Suyash who played a big role in the middle part of the game.

Krunal Pandya took the Player of the Match award for bowling a spell that made a huge difference, changing the pace to make the most of the slow pitch. By bowling slow, he made it tough for PBKS’s batters to get runs which made the run chase harder as the match progressed. Krunal’s wickets during the middle overs, together with Romario Shepherd’s wicket of Shreyas Iyer (caught by the keeper), helped RCB turn the game around. PBKS had only scored 46/2 after six overs, but that meant the required run rate was already above 9 per over by the 10th.

Shashank Singh hit a six to set off some excitement in the final over, but RCB’s bowlers, chiefly Bhuvneshwar Kumar, were able to hold them back. Bhuvi’s accurate yorkers in the 19th and 20th overs and starting with two dot balls in the last over, were very important. Despite all Shashank did, the team needed 42 off the last 12 delivery and didn’t make it. At the end, PBKS scored 184/7, just miss

Krunal Pandya had some outstanding bowling performances :

Krunal Pandya and the other bowlers made RCB’s bowling attack the key to their win. Pandya was declared Player of the Match thanks to his great bowling which included slow deliveries to match the nature of the wicket. Slowing down his bowling pace, as he explained after the game, was a big reason PBKS lost their momentum in the middle overs. “I decided that I’d keep slowing down and use a slower pace more often,” Pandya explained

RCB and Kohli accomplish a great emotional victory :

The win for RCB was not only about the trophy; it showed the result of their persistence over the years. Since the team began in 2008, Virat Kohli has been the face of RCB and his eyes filled with tears as they won. Because of his three final losses and many near-misses, Kohli’s 614 runs in the season (fifth-highest in the Orange Cap) and leadership were very important. Jitesh Sharma, who was RCB’s wicketkeeper, simply said: “I don’t know what to say.” I am really glad for Virat. He has been waiting for 18 years for this moment.

Rajat Patidar did well in his first job as captain by leading a strong team which included Kohli, to a win. He stated after the match that the team thought they could move on after the Qualifier. It’s something special for me, Virat and for all the fans too.” The players wanted to share their happiness with RCB’s fans, one of whom, on X, said, “They were there for the team, win or lose.” As RCB lifted the trophy in Ahmedabad, the famous chant “Ee sala cup namdu” (This time the cup is ours) was heard throughout the city 

PBKS’s Consideration for the Future :

PBKS were left in despair by the defeat. In spite of the loss, Shreyas Iyer acknowledged how his team stepped up: “The effort shown by our team is thanks to the work of the management and players.” A big part of the campaign was young players and Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera proved they are talented. Their failure to make use of good opportunities such as the dropped catches and early wickets, played a big role in their loss. It was pointed out that often changing captains—28 in all—is something the team can work on and Iyer was suggested as a possible long-term leader.

Awards and what the event contributes after it is over :

RCB got the winners’ cheque worth INR 20 crores, while B. Sai Sudharsan took home the Orange Cap after scoring 759 runs and Krunal Pandya was chosen as Player of the Match for his excellent spell. People took to social media to cheer for RCB and Kohli’s emotional reaction after winning. According to one fan, “Kohli’s jersey number is 18 and adding up the date 03/06/2025 gives us 18, too.”

The win means RCB is now a tough team and its well-balanced players are equipped to compete against Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in future tournaments. PBKS wants to make sure they keep their core and maintain a steady performance. Right now, RCB and their fans are relishing a historic evening after waiting for a long 18 years to win the IPL.

Brief Scores : 

RCB Innings : 190/9 (20 Overs) Virat Kohli 43 of 25 Balls (3 Fours), Rajat Patidar 26 off 16 Balls (1 Fours And 2 Sixes).

PBKS Bowling : Arshdeep Singh 3/40 (4 Overs), Kyle Jamieson 3/48 (4 Overs).

PBKS Innings : 184/7 (20 Overs) Shashank Singh 61* off 30 Balls (3 Fours And 6 Sixes).

RCB Bowling : Krunal Pandya 2/17 (4 Overs), Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/38 (4 Overs).

Result : Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 6 Runs.

Player of the Match : Krunal Pandya 

Player of the Series : Suryakumar Yadav

Most Valuable Player of the Season : Suryakumar Yadav

Orange Cap Winner : Sai Sudharsan (759 Runs)

Purple Cap Winner : Prasidh Krishna (25 Wickets)

Catch of the Season : Kamindu Mendis

Emerging Player of the Season : Sai Sudharsan

Fairplay Award : Channai Super Kings

IPL 2025 Stats :

 Most runs in an edition : 26381

 Most fours in an edition : 2245

 Most Sixes in an edition :1294

 Most 200+ totals : 52