In the Final match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
PBKS won the toss and decided to bowl first, seeking to take advantage of the early conditions. Compared to Qualifier 2, the pitch provided a somewhat better batting surface. Openers Phil Salt (16) and Virat Kohli (43) produced a solid start, with Kohli leading the innings before falling at a critical point. Mayank Agarwal (24) and Rajat Patidar (26) kept the scoreboard ticking, but the lower middle order provided genuine impetus. Liam Livingstone (25) and Jitesh Sharma (24) made brief cameos with outstanding strike rates, bringing the total higher. Romario Shepherd (17) hit a massive six in the dying overs but was later caught LBW by Arshdeep Singh. RCB finished on 190/9, probably 15 runs shy of a dominant total.
Chasing 191, PBKS began strongly, with Prabhsimran Singh (26) and Priyansh Arya (24) creating a solid foundation. Josh Inglis (39) gave momentum during the middle overs, but the tide reversed after Shreyas Iyer was dismissed in the 10th over. Nehal Wadhera (15) strained to accelerate, and PBKS started to lose momentum. Despite Shashank Singh‘s brave undefeated 61, which included three fours and six sixes, the lack of help from the other end proved costly. PBKS fell short, gifting RCB their long-awaited first IPL triumph.
While defending the total, Krunal Pandya was at his best tonight as he plucked two wickets and just gave away 17 runs. Thats some gold outing in the final. Veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar also took two wickets, while one wicket each was grabbed by Yash Dayal, Josh Hazelwood and Shepherd.
For PBKS with the ball, Arshdeep Singh gave away 40 runs but also took three wickets. With him, three wickets were also taken by Kyle Jamieson. One wicket each were also grabbed by Azmatullah Omarzai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yuzvendra Chahal.
For his absolutely excellent outing with the ball, Krunal Pandya was adjudged Player of the Match. With this win, RCB have finally bagged their first IPL trophy.
For Virat Kohli and RCB, this triumph is more than simply a trophy; it is the culmination of years of dedication, passion, and unshakeable belief. Kohli, who has been the team’s icon for over a decade, has carried millions of fans’ aspirations through seasons of shattering defeats and terrible close calls. Throughout it all, he remained ferociously engaged, emotionally immersed, and ruthlessly determined. This title is a testament to his tenacity, to the many times he walked off the pitch with tears in his eyes but fire in his heart. Today, that fire has finally blazed the way to greatness. The RCB are winners, and Virat Kohli’s legacy is complete.
Scorecard:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 190/9, Virat Kohli 43, Arshdeep Singh 3/40
Punjab Kings: 184/7, Overs 20, Shashank Singh 61*, Krunal Pandya 2/17
