RCB 190/9 (Kohli 43, Arshdeep 3-40, Jamieson 3-48) Beat PBKS 184/7 (Shashank 61*, Inglis 39, Krunal 2-17, Bhuvneshwar 2-38) by 6 Runs
After 18 long years of unwavering belief—“Ee Sala Cup Namde”—Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have finally won the IPL, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a nerve-wracking final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
For RCB’s passionate fanbase, this victory was more than just a trophy—it was redemption. Three previous final losses, 17 seasons of near-misses, and countless heartbreaks were put to rest as Faf du Plessis’ men held their nerve in a bowling-dominated thriller.
PBKS, who had scripted a fairytale run to the final, fell agonizingly short despite a heroic unbeaten 61 (30 balls) from Shashank Singh, whose late fireworks came just a little too late.
Match Summary: How RCB Defended 190 on a Tricky Pitch
RCB’s Innings: Kohli’s Grit, Cameos, and PBKS’ Smart Bowling
- Virat Kohli (43 off 35) anchored the innings but struggled on a two-paced Ahmedabad pitch where the ball didn’t come on easily.
- Kyle Jamieson (3-48) and Arshdeep Singh (3-40) were outstanding, using slower balls and hard lengths to restrict RCB.
- Jitesh Sharma’s cameo (24 off 10)—including two audacious sixes—pushed RCB towards 190, which looked 15-20 runs below par initially.
PBKS’ Chase: Inglis’ Fire, Krunal’s Masterclass, and Shashank’s Heroics
- Josh Inglis (39 off 22) kept PBKS alive with brutal pull shots, but his dismissal to Krunal Pandya (2-17) turned the game.
- Krunal’s spell (2-17 in 4 overs) was match-defining—he choked PBKS in the middle overs, including the key wicket of Prabhsimran Singh.
- Shashank Singh’s 61 (30 balls)* nearly pulled off a miracle, smashing 24 runs off the last 6 balls (6,4,6,6 vs Hazlewood), but PBKS fell 6 runs short.
Turning Points
- Krunal’s 2-17 – Broke PBKS’ momentum when they were cruising.
- Shreyas Iyer’s early dismissal (9 off 10) – A repeat of his 2023 World Cup final failure.
- Jitesh Sharma’s cameo (24 off 10) – Gave RCB the late surge they needed.
- Hazlewood’s final over (despite 24 runs) – Started with two dots, killing PBKS’ hopes.
Key Performances: Heroes of the Final
For RCB:
- Virat Kohli (43 off 35) – Not his most fluent, but crucial in setting up the innings.
- Krunal Pandya (2-17) – Match-winning spell, proving his big-game pedigree.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-38) – Experience shone in the death overs.
- Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10) – Game-changing cameo.
For PBKS:
- Shashank Singh (61 off 30)* – A lone warrior in the chase.
- Josh Inglis (39 off 22) – Looked unstoppable before Krunal got him.
- Arshdeep Singh (3-40) – Brilliant at the death.
Why RCB Won & PBKS Lost
RCB’s Triumph: Bowlers Step Up When It Mattered
- Krunal, Bhuvi, and Yash Dayal (all IPL winners before) used their experience on a tricky pitch.
- Defended 190 despite PBKS’ firepower—a rarity in Ahmedabad (where 196 was the lowest 1st-innings score this season).
- Held nerve in crunch moments—unlike past RCB teams.
PBKS’ Missed Chances
- Middle-order collapse (Iyer, Wadhera, Prabhsimran failed) left too much for Shashank.
- Krunal’s spell (3 runs in his first over, key wickets) derailed their chase.
- 29 needed off last over was too much, despite Shashank’s heroics.
What This Win Means for RCB
- First-ever IPL title after 17 years of heartbreak.
- Virat Kohli finally gets his hands on the trophy—ending his IPL curse.
- Faf du Plessis joins an elite list of captains to win the IPL (after CSK success).
- RCB’s bowling, often their weakness, won them the final.
PBKS’ Future: So Close, Yet So Far
- Shashank Singh’s rise has been the story of their season.
- Need one more match-winner to cross the line next year.
- Their time will come, but for now, it’s RCB’s moment.
Final Verdict: A Fitting End to IPL 2025
- A final that had everything—drama, twists, and a last-over thriller.
- RCB’s fairytale ending after years of pain.
- PBKS fought hard, but experience won the day.
