Ahmedabad: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title on Tuesday, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a dramatic final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The win ended an 18-year title drought for the franchise, with a gritty bowling display sealing the result despite a late charge from Punjab. Put in to bat, RCB posted 190 for nine in their 20 overs, riding on a composed 43 from Virat Kohli and brief cameos from the middle and lower order.
Kohli, the tournament’s leading run-scorer for Bengaluru, anchored the innings but could not convert it into a bigger score after falling to Azmatullah Omarzai in the 15th over.
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 #𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐏𝐋 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 🏆🤩
The ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU have done it for the first time ❤#RCBvPBKS | #Final | #TheLastMile | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/x4rGdcNavS
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 3, 2025
Punjab’s bowlers kept Bengaluru in check, with Kyle Jamieson returning figures of 3-48 and Arshdeep Singh delivering a stellar final over, claiming three wickets while conceding just three runs.
In reply, PBKS began brightly with Prabhsimran Singh (24) and Priyansh Arya (26) adding 43 runs for the opening wicket. Josh Inglis chipped in with 39, but regular wickets derailed Punjab’s chase. Despite an unbeaten 61 off just 30 balls from Shashank Singh, the team finished on 184 for seven.
Krunal Pandya turned the game in RCB’s favor during the middle overs, claiming two crucial wickets, including Inglis. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, bowling with precision at the death, removed Nehal Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis in the same way to seal the contest.
AAAAARRRRR CEEEEEEE BEEEEEE ❤🏆#TATAIPL | #RCBvPBKS | #Final | #TheLastMile | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/lp3AwgCVQl
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 3, 2025
“This is really special for me, for Virat, and for all the fans who have waited so long. The bowlers executed their plans perfectly,” RCB captain Rajat Patidar said after the match.
Kohli, visibly emotional on the field, was seen wiping away tears as the final overs played out his reaction emblematic of RCB’s long struggle and eventual triumph in the IPL.
Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer praised his side’s effort, especially the younger players. “They’ve shown a lot of fearlessness. We’ll come back stronger and aim for the title next year,” he said.
RCB’s long-standing tag of underachievers now officially ends, as the 2025 final will be remembered as the night Bengaluru finally conquered the IPL.
