Royal Challengers Bengaluru Win Maiden IPL Title After 18-Year Wait

In a historic and emotionally charged night at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, defeating the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a nail-biting final on June 3, 2025. The victory ended an 18-year-long drought for one of the tournament’s most followed yet trophyless franchises.

Batting first, RCB posted a competitive total of 190/9 in their 20 overs. The team’s innings was anchored by Virat Kohli, who scored a steady 43 off 35 balls, displaying both aggression and maturity in his approach. Supporting him were Rajat Patidar with a quickfire 26 from 16 balls and a late flourish from the lower middle-order that helped push the score close to the 200-run mark. Punjab Kings’ bowlers fought hard, with Rahul Chahar and Arshdeep Singh picking up crucial wickets to restrict RCB’s momentum.

In reply, Punjab Kings began confidently, but RCB’s bowlers showed remarkable discipline and resolve. The turning point of the match came in the middle overs when Krunal Pandya delivered a stunning spell, taking two key wickets — Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis — while conceding just 17 runs in his full quota of four overs. His tight bowling stifled the Punjab innings and built immense pressure.

With the game hanging in the balance in the final over, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood was handed the ball. He bowled with precision and calm, even as the tension peaked. Punjab needed 12 runs off the last over. Shashank Singh fought valiantly till the end, managing to hit a six on the final delivery, but it wasn’t enough. Punjab ended their innings at 184/7, falling just six runs short of the target.

The win sparked wild celebrations among RCB fans and players. Virat Kohli, who has been a part of RCB since the franchise's inception in 2008, was seen overcome with emotion, shedding tears of joy. His wife, actress Anushka Sharma, was also present in the stands and celebrated the moment with heartfelt pride. The scenes of Kohli, teary-eyed yet smiling, embracing his teammates became one of the most iconic moments in IPL history.

RCB's captain Rajat Patidar praised the team’s unity and resilience, highlighting how everyone contributed during the season. From the experienced campaigners like Kohli and Hazlewood to the impactful spells from Krunal Pandya, it was a collective effort that finally brought the long-coveted silverware to Bengaluru.

This triumph is more than just a cricketing victory; it is a story of perseverance, belief, and redemption. For years, RCB had been labeled as underachievers despite having a star-studded lineup. This win silences all doubts and cements their legacy in IPL history.

The 2025 final will be remembered not just for the thrilling cricket but for the emotional release it provided to millions of RCB fans who had waited nearly two decades to see their team crowned champions.