Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their 18-year wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title with a thrilling six-run victory over Punjab Kings in the final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The win marked a historic moment for RCB and their captain Virat Kohli, who has been part of the franchise since the inception of the IPL in 2008.
RCB managed a competitive total of 190 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Despite not posting a massive score, it was their disciplined bowling and fielding that ultimately helped them clinch the trophy. Kohli was the top scorer for Bengaluru with a composed 43 runs, anchoring the innings as other batsmen struggled to build significant partnerships. The innings saw moments of brilliance, but the team could never quite accelerate to reach the 200-run mark.
The middle phase of the innings was steady, with Bengaluru at 87 for two at the halfway point. However, the team’s efforts to launch a strong finish were hampered, despite aggressive batting from Jitesh Sharma, who struck 24 off just 10 balls, and Liam Livingstone, who contributed 25. The innings was marked by several wickets falling at crucial times, including Kohli’s dismissal by Azmatullah Omarzai, who deceived the captain with a bouncer and took a remarkable running catch on the return.
In response, Punjab Kings started their chase positively, with openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya putting together a solid 43-run partnership. Punjab looked in control early on, but a crucial moment came when Romario Shepherd dropped a catch in the deep, giving Prabhsimran Singh a lifeline. However, the Bengaluru bowlers soon fought back.
Josh Hazlewood struck early for RCB by dismissing Priyansh Arya, caught brilliantly by Phil Salt in the deep. Hazlewood’s breakthrough disrupted Punjab’s momentum. Krunal Pandya played a pivotal role with the ball, removing both Prabhsimran Singh and Punjab’s in-form captain Shreyas Iyer, swinging the game back in Bengaluru’s favor. Pandya’s dismissals were timely, preventing Punjab from mounting a sustained challenge.
Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt were the standout performers for Punjab with the bat, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to capitalize on their starts. Kyle Jamieson impressed with the ball, taking three wickets for 48 runs, while Arshdeep Singh bowled an exceptional final over, conceding just three runs and taking three wickets in the process. His composed bowling under pressure nearly pulled Punjab back into the game.
Despite a valiant effort from Shashank Singh, who remained unbeaten on 61 off 30 balls, Punjab fell short by six runs. His aggressive hitting in the closing stages brought hope to Punjab’s chase, but the earlier wickets had tilted the balance firmly in Bengaluru’s favor.
The victory was emotional for Virat Kohli, who was seen in tears as the final ball was bowled. Kohli expressed how much the win meant to him and the team, describing it as a moment years in the making. Having devoted much of his youth and prime years to the franchise, Kohli’s perseverance was rewarded at last.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s triumph ended years of near misses and underachievement, finally allowing them to shed the label of perennial runners-up. Their balanced team effort in the final combining steady batting, tight bowling, and sharp fielding was the hallmark of their success.
This victory is a significant milestone not just for the franchise but also for the IPL, highlighting the unpredictability and competitive spirit that defines the tournament. RCB’s maiden IPL title will be remembered as a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the power of persistence in one of cricket’s most fiercely contested leagues.
