On June 3 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad Royal Challengers Bengaluru RCB secured their first ever Indian Premier League IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings PBKS by six runs in a thrilling final This victory ended a 17 year wait for the franchise marking a significant milestone in their IPL journey
marathiindiatimescom.
Match Overview
Toss and Team Lineups
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to field first Both teams retained their lineups from previous matches showing confidence in their squads’ abilities.
Also read:The Asia Cup A Legacy of Cricketing Rivalries in Asia
RCBs Innings Setting a Competitive Total
RCB posted a total of 1909 in their 20 overs Despite early setbacks including the loss of opener Phil Salt in the second over Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a steady 43 off 35 balls Contributions from Rajat Patidar 26 Liam Livingstone 25 and Jitesh Sharma 24 bolstered the teams score Romario Shepherd added a quick 17 off 9 balls towards the end PBKS bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep Singh each claimed three wickets while Omarzai Vyshak and Chahal took one apiece
PBKSs Chase A Close Contest
Chasing 191 PBKS managed 1847 in their 20 overs falling short by just six runs Shashank Singhs unbeaten 61 off 30 balls provided hope but disciplined bowling from RCB including Krunal Pandyas 217 and Bhuvneshwar Kumars 224 restricted PBKSs progress Josh Hazlewood Romario Shepherd and Yash Dayal each contributed with a wicket
crictimesportscom
Key Performances
Krunal Pandya Player of the Match
Krunal Pandyas economical bowling spell of 217 in four overs was instrumental in curbing PBKSs momentum during the powerplay His performance earned him the Player of the Match award Post match Krunal highlighted the importance of intuition and bravery in his approach dedicating the win to his family noting that the Pandya household now boasts nine IPL trophies
Virat Kohli The Emotional Anchor
Virat Kohlis 43 run innings provided stability to RCBs batting lineup Beyond his on field performance Kohlis emotional reaction to the victory resonated with fans and cricketing legends alike Sachin Tendulkar remarked on the significance of jersey No 18 lifting the trophy after nearly two decades of dedication
timesofindiaindiatimescom.
Leadership and Strategy
Under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar and coaching of Andy Flower RCB showcased strategic acumen throughout the tournament Their decision to maintain a consistent team and focus on disciplined bowling paid dividends in the final RCBs fielding was also noteworthy with Phil Salts early catch setting the tone for the match.
PBKSs Perspective
Despite the loss PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer praised his teams efforts and highlighted areas for improvement He acknowledged that certain mistakes and specific incidents contributed to the narrow defeat emphasizing the need for accurate strategies and collective effort in future matches.
Historical Significance
RCBs victory in the 2025 IPL final not only ended their title drought but also redefined their legacy in the league The win was a testament to the teams resilience strategic planning and the culmination of years of perseverance As the franchise celebrates this monumental achievement fans and players alike look forward to building on this success in the seasons to come