Ahmedabad, India – IPL 2025 Final
🏏 Match Summary:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 190-9 (20 overs)
- Top scorer: Virat Kohli 43 (35)
- Top bowlers (PBKS): Arshdeep Singh 3-40, Kyle Jamieson 3-48
- Punjab Kings: 184-7 (20 overs)
- Top scorer: Shashank Singh 61* (30)
- Top bowler (RCB): Hardik Pandya 2-17
- Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 6 runs
🏆 RCB Claim First IPL Title After 18-Year Wait
In an electrifying final in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally captured their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings by just six runs in a nail-biting finish.
After 267 matches and three heartbreaks in previous finals, Virat Kohli, the longest-serving one-franchise player in IPL history, fulfilled his dream of lifting the trophy. Kohli’s gritty 43 off 35 balls led RCB’s batting charge to a competitive 190-9.
🔥 Kohli Leads from the Front
Opening the innings with England’s Phil Salt, Kohli anchored the innings, taking RCB to 143 before falling to Azmatullah Omarzai. Salt contributed a brisk 16 off nine balls, while England’s Liam Livingstone added 25 from 15. Despite a steady build-up, RCB couldn’t fully capitalize in the final over, with Arshdeep Singh taking three wickets in six balls to prevent a total over 200.
🏏 Punjab Kings Fall Short Despite Shashank’s Heroics
Chasing 191, Punjab Kings lost key wickets early, including captain Shreyas Iyer for just one. Rebuilding efforts by Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh brought some hope, but a double blow from Bhuvneshwar Kumar stalled momentum.
Needing 29 off the final over, Shashank smashed 22 from the last four balls to remain unbeaten on 61, but the effort fell short as PBKS ended on 184-7.
🧠Andy Flower’s Impact Seals Glory
Coach Andy Flower, who joined RCB in 2024, delivered silverware in only his second season. After placing second in the table and winning Qualifier 1 against PBKS, Flower’s side sealed the trophy in the final. The title adds to his growing legacy, including wins in the PSL (2021) and The Hundred (2022).
READ MORE: Virat Kohli’s Restaurant Raided, Management Booked for Health Code Violations
🇬🇧 English Stars Celebrate Too
England internationals Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell earned IPL medals. Livingstone contributed with the bat in the final, while Bethell missed the game due to international duty.
🏆 Kohli’s IPL Journey: From Debut to Destiny
Kohli, who made his IPL debut in 2008, now has over 8,661 runs in 267 matches with 8 centuries and 63 fifties. After heartbreaks in 2011 and 2016 finals, and stepping down as captain in 2021, the RCB icon finally stood on the podium—IPL trophy in hand.
