RCB Ends 18-Year Wait: Clinches Maiden IPL Title in Thrilling Final

IPL 2025 Final: RCB’s Historic Victory Over Punjab Kings

The final match of IPL 2025 was held on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings. In this thrilling encounter, RCB clinched a 6-run victory and, after an 18-year-long wait, lifted their first-ever IPL trophy.

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RCB’s Historic Win: 5 Key Reasons

1. Clear Role for Every Player
RCB had laid out its strategy well in advance of the mega auction. Mentor Dinesh Karthik, Director Mo Bobat, and Coach Andy Flower collaboratively built a team where every player had a clearly defined role. The team specifically picked players for opening, middle-order, finishing, spin, and pace bowling. In line with their plan, RCB retained only Virat Kohli and focused on role-based selections rather than big names.

2. Rajat Patidar’s Captaincy
In his first season as IPL captain, Rajat Patidar showcased exceptional leadership. Under his guidance, RCB won all 8 away games, including Qualifier-1 and the Final. He utilized bowlers based on the opposition’s weaknesses and made strategic decisions that led to consistent success.

3. Impactful Bowling Performance
RCB’s bowlers delivered consistently throughout the tournament. Josh Hazlewood took 22 wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal bowled effectively in the powerplay and death overs. Spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma restricted runs in the middle overs. In the final, Krunal claimed 2 wickets for just 17 runs and was named Player of the Match.

4. Virat Kohli’s Consistency
Virat Kohli made a vital contribution with 657 runs in the season. In the final, his 43-run knock helped RCB post a competitive total. His emotional tears after the match reflected the depth of his dedication and the long 18-year wait for this moment.

5. Balanced Team Performance
RCB’s victory was a result of collective effort. Nine different players won the ‘Player of the Match’ award at various stages, showing that the team wasn’t dependent on any single individual but performed cohesively.

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Final Match Summary

RCB Innings: 190/9 (20 overs)

• Virat Kohli: 43 (35 balls)
• Phil Salt: 16 (9 balls)
• Liam Livingstone: 25 (15 balls)

Punjab Kings Innings: 184/7 (20 overs)

• Shashank Singh: 61* runs
• Priyansh Arya: 28 runs
• Josh Inglis: 24 runs

Match Result: RCB won by 6 runs
Player of the Match: Krunal Pandya (2 wickets, 17 runs)

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Celebrations in Bengaluru

Following RCB’s historic win, Bengaluru erupted in celebration. Fans flooded the streets to rejoice. Photos of Virat Kohli with Anushka Sharma went viral on social media, with Kohli seen visibly emotional.

The city transformed into a sea of red as fireworks lit up the night sky, and fans danced in the streets, chanting team slogans. Major landmarks were illuminated, and spontaneous parades took place in various neighborhoods. Pubs and restaurants were packed, with patrons celebrating late into the night. In a heartfelt moment, Kohli was seen embracing Anushka Sharma, tears streaming down his face, symbolizing the culmination of years of dedication and perseverance. The victory not only marked a significant achievement for the team but also united the city in a shared moment of joy and pride.

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Conclusion

RCB’s triumph is more than just a trophy—it is the culmination of 18 years of struggle, dedication, and belief. The team has proven that with the right strategy, a balanced squad, and strong leadership, any goal is achievable.

This historic victory not only honored the players’ relentless efforts but also fulfilled the dreams of millions of fans who had waited years for this moment. Virat Kohli’s tearful eyes reflected the emotional weight of the journey. Every member of the team fulfilled their role, collectively proving that unity and consistent effort can turn the impossible into reality. RCB’s success will serve as a source of inspiration for other teams in the years to come.