Royal Challengers Bengaluru have finally won the IPL 2025 title, ending an 18-season-long wait. Virat Kohli has now become an IPL champion. In the final match played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB defeated Punjab Kings by 6 runs. After losing the toss, RCB batted first and posted 190 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs. In reply, Punjab could only manage 184 runs for 7 wickets. With this win, RCB became the eighth team to win the IPL title. The previous champions include Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Bengaluru’s Innings:
Batting first, Bengaluru scored 190 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs. Their start was poor, as opener Phil Salt was dismissed early after scoring 16 runs off 9 balls (2 fours and 1 six), taken by Jamieson. Virat Kohli tried to stabilize the innings with Mayank Agarwal, but Mayank got out after scoring 24 runs off 18 balls (2 fours and 1 six), attempting a big shot. Rajat Patidar added 26 runs from 16 balls before getting out.
Kohli built a 36-run partnership with Liam Livingstone. Kohli scored 43 runs off 35 balls (3 fours) before being dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai. Jitesh Sharma played a fiery cameo of 24 runs from 10 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes), but was bowled by Vijaykumar. In the final over, Arshdeep Singh took three wickets—dismissing Romario Shepherd (17), Krunal Pandya (4), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1). For Punjab, Arshdeep and Jamieson took 3 wickets each, while Omarzai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yuzvendra Chahal claimed one wicket apiece.
Punjab’s Innings:
Chasing a target of 191, Punjab got off to a solid start with a 43-run opening partnership between Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. Priyansh scored 24 runs before being dismissed by Hazlewood. Prabhsimran made 26 off 22 balls. Shreyas Iyer failed to deliver, scoring just 1 run. Josh Inglis batted well, scoring 39 runs off 23 balls with 1 four and 4 sixes, but couldn’t stay till the end. Nehal Wadhera (15) and Marcus Stoinis (6) also departed cheaply. Azmatullah Omarzai scored only 1 run.
Shashank Singh played a valiant knock of 61 runs from 30 balls, hitting 3 fours and 6 sixes, but it wasn’t enough to take Punjab over the line. For Bengaluru, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya took 2 wickets each, while Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, and Romario Shepherd picked up one wicket apiece.