RCB Clinch Maiden IPL Title After 18 Years, Edge Punjab Kings by Six Runs

Hyderabad : Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made history at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday by lifting their first Indian Premier League title after 18 years of trying. In a thrilling final, RCB defended a total of 190 for 9 and defeated Punjab Kings by six runs.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, RCB posted 190/9 in 20 overs on a slow pitch. Despite no individual half-century, several small but vital contributions helped set a challenging target. Virat Kohli top-scored with 43 off 35 balls, including three fours. RCB raced to 46/1 in five overs and reached 87/2 by the tenth over. At the 15-over mark, they were 132/4. However, a flurry of late wickets threatened to stall their charge. Phil Salt (16 off 9), Mayank Agarwal (24 off 18), Rajat Patidar (26 off 16), Liam Livingstone (25 off 16), Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10), and Romario Shepherd (17 off 9) each added quick cameo runs in the final five overs, allowing RCB to accumulate 58 runs while losing five wickets. Their innings featured 11 fours and nine sixes in total.

RCB seemed poised to exceed 200 when they were 187/6 after 19 overs. But Punjab’s left-arm speedster Arshdeep Singh produced a brilliant final over, conceding only three runs and taking three wickets, ultimately restricting RCB to 190. Arshdeep finished with figures of 3/40, while fellow pacer Kyle Jamieson claimed 3/48.

Chasing 191, Punjab Kings began strongly, compiling a 43-run opening partnership. However, Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood struck early in his first over, removing Priyansh Arya for 24. Despite Prabhsimran Singh’s fighting 79, Punjab lost wickets at key junctures. Captain Shreyas Iyer was dismissed for just one run, stalling the middle order. RCB’s Krunal Pandya emerged as the game-changer with figures of 2/17 in 4 overs. He dismissed set batsman Josh Inglis (39), and in the 17th over, claimed two additional wickets that dealt the final blows to Punjab’s hopes.

Punjab Kings managed 184/7 in 20 overs—falling six runs short. Their earlier final appearance was in 2014 when they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. This year’s defeat marks their second loss in an IPL final.

RCB’s bowlers displayed discipline under pressure. Alongside Pandya, Glenn Maxwell chipped in with crucial overs, and Wanindu Hasaranga’s leg-spin kept the required run rate in check. RCB thus ended their long title drought, prompting jubilant celebrations among players and fans alike.

The 2025 IPL season culminated in a memorable final, showcasing intense cricket from both sides. RCB’s maiden triumph was built on collective batting efforts and a resolute bowling performance that ultimately thwarted Punjab Kings’ chase, etching this final into IPL folklore.

Team Maverick.