Royal Challengers Bengaluru end 17-year drought, secure maiden IPL title

Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their name in the history books by clinching their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title with a thrilling 6-run victory over Punjab Kings in the 2025 final. The dramatic summit clash, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, brought an end to RCB’s 18-year-long wait for the elusive silverware.

Led by Rajat Patidar, who was handed the reins this season, RCB held their nerve in a high-stakes encounter. Cricket legend Virat Kohli, who has been with the franchise since the inaugural edition in 2008, finally got his hands on the trophy that had eluded him for nearly two decades. His top score of 43 off 35 balls was the cornerstone of RCB`s batting effort, though the team never quite found momentum on a sluggish pitch.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer had opted to bowl first after winning the toss. His decision initially paid dividends, with RCB unable to post a commanding total. Despite a few solid starts, no batter could convert, and wickets fell at regular intervals. Kohli’s composed innings aside, Patidar (26) and Romario Shepherd (17* off 8) contributed quick runs towards the end. However, Punjab’s disciplined bowling attack kept the scoring in check.

Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball for Punjab, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 40, including two wickets in the final over. The left-arm pacer’s death-over mastery ensured RCB were restricted to a modest 190 for 9. Kyle Jamieson also chipped in with three wickets but conceded 48 runs in his four-over spell, as RCB tried to counterattack in patches.

Chasing 191 for their first-ever title, Punjab Kings got off to a steady start, with Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya finding boundaries early. However, RCB’s bowlers fought back strongly. Josh Hazlewood provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Arya, and Krunal Pandya followed up with a crucial double-strike, removing both Prabhsimran and Josh Inglis.

Iyer and Shashank Singh attempted to stabilise the innings, but Romario Shepherd and Yash Dayal broke the backbone of Punjab’s chase with timely wickets. The required run rate crept up, and despite a few late hits, PBKS could only manage 184 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.

In the end, RCB’s disciplined bowling and tight fielding proved decisive. As the final ball was bowled and the scoreboard confirmed victory, jubilation erupted in the RCB camp. For the fans, and most of all for Virat Kohli, the long wait was finally over.

RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 final live updates: Full squads

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yuzvendra Chahal, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Pyla Avinash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Tim Seifert, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh, Blessing Muzarabani, Tim David, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh

RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 final live updates: Toss update

Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 final live updates: Playing XIs

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood

RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 final live updates: Match begins!

Phil Salt and Virat Kohli opens proceedings for RCB in the IPL 2025 final, PBKS` Arshdeep Singh in with the new ball.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru bag their maiden IPL trophy by defeating Punjab by six runs

PBKS: 184/7 (20)

RCB are just six balls away from lifting their maiden IPL trophy. 29 runs required off the last six balls and it is only miracle that could save Punjab now.

PBKS: 170/7 (19)

Following Stoinis’ dismissal, Azmatullah Omarzai was caught out after misjudging a slower back-of-the-hand delivery from Yash Dayal. Trying to unleash a powerful slog, he stepped forward but missed the ball entirely, falling prey to the subtle variation in pace. This wicket deepened PBKS’s woes as their innings faltered further.

PBKS: 145/7 (17.2)

Marcus Stoinis fell while attempting to strike a wide, full delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He sliced the ball directly to Yash Dayal positioned at short third, who calmly secured the straightforward catch despite the pressure. Stoinis exited the field visibly frustrated, while RCB rejoiced over the crucial breakthrough.

PBKS: 142/6 (16.4)

Nehal Wadhera departs at a pivotal stage of the chase! Attempting to clear the infield with an expansive shot off a full and wide delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Wadhera could only slice it high towards sweeper cover. Positioned perfectly, Krunal Pandya made no mistake under pressure, safely pouching the catch. With that, Punjab Kings lose their fifth wicket at a crucial juncture, further denting their hopes in this high-stakes IPL 2025 final. The pressure now firmly shifts back onto the chasing side, as RCB continue to tighten their grip on the contest.

PBKS: 136/5 (16.2)

Punjab’s top order may have collapsed, but Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera are standing tall like warriors in the face of mounting pressure. With the required run rate climbing steeply to 14.13, Royal Challengers Bengaluru appear to have seized control of the contest. However, the gritty duo in the middle is refusing to surrender, determined to keep the chase alive and fight till the very end.

PBKS: 119/4 (15)

Krunal Pandya turns the tide with a potentially match-winning spell, claiming the key wicket of Josh Inglis. With Inglis gone, Punjab`s chase takes a serious hit, and their hopes of a comeback appear to be slipping away. Royal Challengers Bengaluru now have the upper hand, firmly back in control.

PBKS: 98/4 (12.1)

Shreyas Iyer departs after edging one behind, as Romario Shepherd strikes at a crucial juncture. The Punjab Kings captain falls at a time when stability was needed, marking a surprising shift in momentum. This wicket has breathed fresh life into the contest, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru regaining control of the final.

PBKS: 81/3 (10)

Prabhsimran Singh departs, and the RCB camp erupts in celebration. The breakthrough they desperately needed has arrived, courtesy of Krunal Pandya, who gets rid of the dangerous opener. This dismissal injects fresh energy into the contest and swings some momentum back Bengaluru`s way.

PBKS: 72/2 (8.3)

The powerplay phase has come to a close, and Punjab Kings find themselves in a commanding position despite the early dismissal of Priyansh Arya. Josh Inglis walked in and wasted no time, immediately taking the attack to the bowlers with some aggressive strokes. At the other end, Prabhsimran Singh remains unbeaten on 15 off 12 deliveries, anchoring the innings with composure. Surpassing the 50-run mark in the first six overs, Punjab have laid a solid foundation for their chase, keeping themselves firmly in the contest.

PBKS: 52/1 (6)

Josh Hazlewood strikes on the final delivery of his second spell, claiming Priyansh Arya’s wicket! Phil Salt pulls off a stunning catch to seal the dismissal, forcing the promising Priyansh to head back to the pavilion. Stepping in to maintain the momentum, Josh Inglis takes the crease for Punjab Kings.

PBKS: 43/1 (4.6)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru missed a golden opportunity for an early breakthrough as Romario Shepherd put down a crucial catch offered by Prabhsimran Singh. Attempting a hook off Josh Hazlewood’s short delivery, Prabhsimran got a top edge, but Shepherd, going at it with hard hands, failed to hold on, resulting in a costly lapse. Punjab Kings moved to 28 without loss at the end of three overs, capitalising on the reprieve.

PBKS: 28/0 (4)

Another 10-run over on the board! Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya continue their aggressive start, dealing in boundaries and intent. The dynamic duo looks determined to give Punjab fans the dream start they`ve been hoping for.

PBKS: 23/0 (2)

Priyansh Arya got Punjab Kings off to a lively start with a crisp boundary, while Prabhsimran Singh capped off the opening over in style by launching Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a towering six off the final delivery.

PBKS: 6/0 (1)

Arshdeep Singh delivers a brilliant final over, conceding only three runs while striking twice to remove Romario Shepherd and Krunal Pandya, ensuring Bengaluru are restricted to 190 for 9 at the end of 20 overs.

RCB: 190/9 (20)

Romario Shepherd accelerates to an unbeaten 17 from eight balls, smashing a boundary followed by a massive six off Azmatullah Omarzai. The Afghan fast bowler finishes his spell conceding 35 runs with one wicket in four overs.

RCB: 187/6 (19)

An appeal for caught behind is raised, and the umpire declares Jitesh out! Reacting instantly, Jitesh opts for a DRS review. The replay shows the ball brushing close to the bat, but no clear edge is detected. Jitesh is reprieved, sparking a thunderous cheer from the RCB supporters in Ahmedabad.

RCB: 171/6 (17.3)

Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone launched a brief but explosive assault on Kyle Jamieson, hammering three towering sixes in a single over. However, the tall New Zealander had the last word, striking back to dismiss the dangerous Livingstone and break the momentum for Punjab Kings.

RCB: 168/5 (17)

Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a telling blow in the 15th over by removing the well-set Virat Kohli for 43 from 35 balls. The seasoned Afghan all-rounder cleverly altered his pace and length, prompting Kohli into an uncharacteristic mistimed shot. The RCB icon’s measured innings, which had kept his side steady, came to an end just as the team looked to accelerate. With this crucial breakthrough, Punjab Kings tightened their grip on the match, claiming their fourth scalp and halting RCB’s momentum at a vital juncture.

RCB: 132/4 (15)

Yuzvendra Chahal and Vijaykumar Vyshak tighten the screws for Punjab Kings with disciplined bowling, applying pressure as Royal Challengers Bengaluru struggle to find boundaries. With momentum slowing, players from both camps take a strategic time-out to regroup and reassess.

RCB: 111/3 (13)

Kyle Jamieson returns to the attack and breaks through with the crucial wicket of RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, halting his steady innings as Punjab Kings strike again.

RCB: 97/3 (11)

Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli keep the scoreboard ticking against Azmatullah Omarzai, maintaining Bengaluru’s strong position at the halfway mark of the innings.

RCB: 87/2 (9)

Yuzvendra Chahal breaks the partnership by dismissing a well-set Mayank Agarwal, who scored 24 off 18 balls, as RCB lose their second wicket just after the powerplay.

RCB: 61/2 (7)

Azmatullah Omarzai comes into the attack and gives away seven runs in his first over, keeping things relatively tight in the high-stakes final.

RCB: 46/1 (5)

Mayank Agarwal announces his arrival in the title clash with a towering six off Arshdeep Singh, igniting the Punjab Kings’ innings in style

RCB: 30/1 (3)

Kyle Jamieson strikes early, removing RCB opener Phil Salt in his very first over to give Punjab Kings a dream start in the final.

RCB: 19/1 (2)

This article first appeared on Mid Day