After 17 seasons of waiting, heartbreaks, and near-misses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally captured their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a tense, emotionally-charged final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Though the match featured numerous individual efforts on both sides, it was a series of small moments and strategic execution that shaped RCB’s title-clinching night. The final, played before a capacity crowd in Ahmedabad, provided drama until the final over.
Early Blow: Shreyas Iyer’s Dismissal Sparks Kohli’s Roar
The turning point came early in PBKS’s chase, when captain Shreyas Iyer, who had led Punjab to the final with a standout knock in Qualifier 2, was dismissed for just 1 run off 2 balls. Romario Shepherd’s seemingly innocuous delivery forced a mistimed shot, which landed safely in RCB hands.
What followed was an instantly iconic moment Virat Kohli, positioned in the inner circle, erupted in celebration with a jubilant leap and clenched fists. The raw emotion on his face captured the release of nearly two decades of heartbreak. The video quickly went viral on social media, with fans dubbing it the “jump that broke the curse.”
RCB Post 190/9 Amid Kohli’s Anchor Role
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, RCB posted 190 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Kohli top-scored with 43 off 35 balls, anchoring the innings during a difficult middle phase. Though not fluent, his presence helped steady the innings after early losses.
Short contributions came from Rajat Patidar (26 off 16), Mayank Agarwal (24 off 18), Liam Livingstone (25 off 15), and Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10), each adding quick runs to keep RCB’s innings moving.
Romario Shepherd (17 off 9) added the finishing touches. Shepherd, in particular, played with intent in the final overs, launching key blows to keep the scoreboard ticking.
PBKS’s Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson were the most effective bowlers, each claiming three wickets. Arshdeep finished with 3 for 40, while Jamieson returned 3 for 48 including dismissals of Kohli and key middle-order batters.
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Omarzai’s Spectacular Catch Ends Kohli’s Stay
Azmatullah Omarzai pulled off one of the standout fielding moments of the tournament, sprinting across the field and diving low to take a sharp sliding catch that removed Kohli. The ball had taken a top edge off a short delivery, but Omarzai’s agility and timing transformed it into a crucial wicket right when Kohli seemed poised to accelerate.
Krunal Pandya’s Disciplined Spell Chokes Punjab
RCB’s spin spearhead Krunal Pandya applied the brakes during the critical middle overs. The left-arm spinner returned figures of 2 for 17, removing key batters including Liam Livingstone and keeping the run rate in check with tight lines. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award his second in an IPL final, having previously claimed the honor in 2017.
Shashank Singh’s Lone Stand Goes in Vain
With PBKS reeling at 128 for 6 by the 16th over, middle-order batter Shashank Singh kept their hopes alive with an unbeaten 61 off 30 balls. Displaying calm under pressure, he struck multiple boundaries and navigated rotating strikes even as partners fell around him. However, the task proved too steep.
Needing 19 runs off the final over, Shashank’s late charge faltered as Shepherd returned to bowl the final six balls. RCB held their nerve and restricted PBKS to 184 for 7, sparking wild celebrations.
Legacy Secured, Narrative Completed
The 2025 IPL final was not just the end of a match it was the culmination of an era. For a franchise that had seen some of cricket’s biggest stars but no titles, RCB’s breakthrough was long overdue. The win will be remembered not only for the result but for the emotional intensity and redemption arc it completed. In the end, the night belonged to RCB a team that believed long enough to finally become champions.
Written by RITESH SINGH
