RCB Wins IPL 2025: RCB and Virat Kohli Finally Crowned IPL Champions

What a night it was at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad! As I sit down to pen my thoughts, the echoes of “Ee Sala Cup Namde!” still ring in my ears, the streets of Bangalore are still buzzing, and the city’s collective dream has finally come true. After 18 long, agonizing years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the IPL champions. Yes, you read that right—RCB have lifted their maiden IPL trophy, and I was lucky enough to witness history unfold, both as a fan and a chronicler of this unforgettable night.

NOTE : Image Courtesy : Official Instagram Account of IPL T20

RCB Wins IPL 2025: A Night for the Ages

The 2025 IPL final wasn’t just another cricket match—it was a culmination of nearly two decades of heartbreak, hope, and unwavering loyalty. RCB, the perennial underachievers, the team that came close but never crossed the line, finally broke the jinx. The Narendra Modi Stadium was a sea of red, with a record-breaking 90,871 fans in attendance, their voices merging into a single, thunderous roar. The city of Bangalore, often mocked for its “next year” optimism, erupted into celebrations that lasted till dawn. For Virat Kohli, for the team, and for millions of RCB fans worldwide, this was redemption, ecstasy, and closure all rolled into one magical night.

NOTE : Image Courtesy : Official Instagram Account of IPL T20

RCB Wins IPL 2025 : RCB vs PBKS—A Final for the Ages

The stage was set for a classic. Both RCB and Punjab Kings (PBKS) were desperate for their first title. PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping to chase under the Ahmedabad lights. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, posted a competitive 190/9 in their 20 overs, thanks to gritty knocks and some late fireworks. In reply, PBKS fought valiantly, with Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 off 30 balls almost pulling off a heist. But RCB’s bowlers held their nerve, sealing a six-run victory as the stadium erupted in joy.

First Innings: RCB’s Grit and Guts

Powerplay and Early Momentum

RCB’s innings began with a bang, notching up 55 runs in the powerplay. Phil Salt threatened to cut loose but was dismissed early by Kyle Jamieson for 16. Mayank Agarwal looked solid but fell for 24 in the seventh over, leaving the onus on the ever-reliable Virat Kohli.

Kohli’s Anchor and Middle-Order Contributions

Kohli, as always, was the heartbeat of the RCB innings. His 43 off 35 balls wasn’t his most fluent knock, but it was invaluable under pressure. He absorbed the early blows, rotated the strike, and ensured RCB didn’t lose their way. Rajat Patidar chipped in with a brisk 26, while cameos from Liam Livingstone (25 off 15) and Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10) gave the innings late impetus.

PBKS Bowling Brilliance

Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson were the pick of the bowlers, sharing six wickets between them. Arshdeep’s knack for picking up crucial wickets and Jamieson’s bounce rattled the RCB middle order, but the lower order managed to scramble the total to 190—a score that felt just about par on the big night.

Key Performances: First Innings

• Virat Kohli: 43 (35) – The emotional anchor, holding the innings together.
• Rajat Patidar: 26 (16) – Quick runs to keep the momentum alive.
• Liam Livingstone/Jitesh Sharma: Vital cameos that added crucial runs in the death overs.
• Arshdeep Singh: 3/40 – Consistently struck at key moments.
• Kyle Jamieson: 3/48 – Used his height and pace to great effect.

Second Innings: PBKS’s Brave Chase

Powerplay and Early Wickets

PBKS started their chase confidently, scoring 52 runs in the powerplay. However, they lost Priyansh Arya early, and the pressure began to mount. Shreyas Iyer, the captain, was dismissed for just 1 by Romario Shepherd, a massive blow to PBKS’s hopes.

Middle Overs: RCB’s Bowlers Turn the Screws

Krunal Pandya was the unsung hero. His spell of 2/17 in four overs was nothing short of magical—he stifled the scoring, dismissed key batters, and swung the momentum back in RCB’s favor. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience shone through as he picked up two wickets and kept the runs in check.

The Final Assault: Shashank Singh’s Heroics

With the required rate climbing, Shashank Singh launched a stunning counterattack. His unbeaten 61 off 30 balls, including a flurry of boundaries in the final overs, brought PBKS agonizingly close. At one point, with 29 needed off the last over, he smashed Hazlewood for 6, 4, 6, 6—but it was too little, too late. RCB held on by six runs, and the celebrations began.

Key Performances: Second Innings

• Shashank Singh: 61* (30) – Almost single-handedly won it for PBKS.
• Josh Inglis: 39 (23) – Provided early momentum.
• Krunal Pandya: 2/17 (4 overs) – The game-changer with the ball.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 2/38 – Kept his cool in the death overs.

Key Moments in the Match

• Kohli’s Emotional 43: Not the flashiest, but perhaps the most significant knock of his IPL career.
• Krunal Pandya’s Spell: His four overs changed the complexion of the chase, earning him the Man of the Match award.
• Shashank Singh’s Onslaught: His late fireworks gave PBKS hope, but the mountain was just a bit too steep.
• Hazlewood’s Final Over: The first two dot balls in the last over sealed the deal for RCB, despite Shashank’s late blitz.

Post-Match Presentation: Tears, Triumph, and Testimony

As the final wicket fell, Virat Kohli—tears streaming down his face—was mobbed by his teammates. The post-match presentation was a celebration of resilience and belief.

What Shreyas Iyer Said

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer was gracious in defeat. He praised his team’s fighting spirit and acknowledged RCB’s composure under pressure. “We gave it our all. Credit to RCB, they held their nerve when it mattered. Shashank was outstanding, but sometimes the game just slips away. We’ll come back stronger,” he said.

What Rajat Patidar Said

RCB captain Rajat Patidar was visibly emotional, dedicating the win to the fans and the city of Bangalore. “This is for every RCB fan who never stopped believing. We’ve been through a lot, but tonight, we’re champions. Virat bhai’s passion, the team’s unity—this is what dreams are made of,” he declared.

Man of the Match: Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya, the Man of the Match, was modest in his moment of glory. “I just wanted to keep things simple and bowl to my strengths. The crowd, the atmosphere—it was electric. I’m glad I could contribute to this historic win,” he said.

IPL 2025 Awards and Prize Winners

Award Category	Winner	Team	Details/Stats
Orange Cap (Most Runs)	Sai Sudharsan	Gujarat Titans	759 runs in 15 matches
Purple Cap (Most Wickets)	Prasidh Krishna	Rajasthan Royals	25 wickets
Most Valuable Player (MVP)	Suryakumar Yadav	Mumbai Indians	717 runs (most by a non-opener)
Emerging Player of the Season	Sai Sudharsan	Gujarat Titans
Best Strike Rate	Vaibhav Suryavanshi	Rajasthan Royals	Strike rate 208+ (min 100 balls faced)
Most Dot Balls Bowled	Mohammed Siraj	Royal Challengers
Most Sixes	Nicholas Pooran	Lucknow Super Giants	40 sixes
Most Fours	Sai Sudharsan	Gujarat Titans	88 fours
Catch of the Season	Kamindu Mendis	Sunrisers Hyderabad
Fair Play Award	Chennai Super Kings
Fantasy King of the Season	Sai Sudharsan	Gujarat Titans
Player of the Match (Final)	Krunal Pandya	Royal Challengers	4-0-17-2 in final
Super Striker (Final)	Jitesh Sharma	Punjab Kings	24 off 10 balls in final
Super Sixes (Final)	Shashank Singh	Punjab Kings	6 sixes in final, unbeaten 61
On-the-Go Fours (Final)	Priyansh Arya	Punjab Kings	Most boundaries in final
Green Dot Ball (Final)	Krunal Pandya	Royal Challengers	Most dot balls in final

Wishes and Reactions: The Cricketing World Responds

The cricketing fraternity poured in their wishes. AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and even MS Dhoni congratulated RCB on social media, calling it a “well-deserved triumph.” Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, “Persistence pays. Congratulations, RCB and Virat Kohli, on a historic win.” Bangalore’s streets turned into a carnival, with fans celebrating long into the night. The city’s landmarks were lit up in red and gold, and the team’s bus parade was met with a hero’s welcome.

Conclusion: The End of a Long Wait, the Dawn of a New Era

As the dust settles on IPL 2025, I still can’t quite believe what I witnessed. The years of “so close, yet so far” are finally over. RCB are IPL champions, and the city of Bangalore has a new reason to celebrate. For Virat Kohli, this was more than a trophy—it was vindication, legacy, and fulfillment. For the team, it was a testament to belief and perseverance.

The IPL, as always, delivered drama, emotion, and spectacle. As we look ahead to IPL 2026, one thing is certain—RCB will no longer be the butt of jokes; they are the champions, the standard-bearers, and the team to beat. The journey has been long, but the destination was worth every tear, every heartbreak, and every chant of “Ee Sala Cup Namde!” Here’s to more magic, more memories, and another sensational season ahead.

Bangalore, this one’s for you. The cup is finally home.

read about all the IPL 2025 match highlights on Popnewsblend.