RCB IPL Victory was finally sealed in Ahmedabad as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling 2025 Indian Premier League final. Virat Kohli’s composed 43 off 35 balls and a disciplined bowling attack ended an 18-year title drought for the franchise, sparking emotional celebrations from players and fans alike.
Match Summary – IPL Final 2025
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 190-9 (20 overs)
• Virat Kohli 43 (35), Phil Salt 16 (9), Liam Livingstone 25
• Arshdeep Singh 3-40, Kyle Jamieson 3-48
Punjab Kings: 184-7 (20 overs)
• Shashank Singh 61* (30), Nehal Wadhera 32
• Hardik Pandya 2-17
Result: RCB won by 6 runs
RCB IPL Victory: A Historic Moment for Virat Kohli and Bengaluru
After nearly two decades of unwavering loyalty, relentless effort, and multiple heartbreaks, RCB IPL Victory finally became a reality. Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, edging past Punjab Kings by just six runs in a nerve-wracking final at Ahmedabad. It was a fairytale ending to an 18-year wait.
“This means everything,” an emotional Kohli said. “I’ve given my youth, my prime, and now my experience to RCB. To finally lift this trophy is an indescribable feeling.”
Kohli’s Final Brilliance Seals RCB IPL Victory in Emotional Showdown
At 36, Virat Kohli once again proved why he’s revered as one of the modern greats of cricket. Opening the innings with England’s Phil Salt, Kohli scored a pivotal 43 from 35 balls, anchoring RCB’s innings and setting the tone for a competitive total of 190. He was dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai but not before guiding his team into a strong position.
Kohli’s IPL record now includes 8,661 runs, eight centuries, and 63 half-centuries across 267 matches — all for RCB. With an average of 39.54 over his career and over 50 across the past three seasons, he has consistently led from the front. His 2025 campaign ended with an average of 54.75.
As the final ball was bowled and RCB sealed victory, Kohli sank to his knees, overwhelmed with emotion. “This one was missing,” he said. “Now I can sleep like a baby.”
RCB IPL Victory Fueled by Contributions Across the Lineup
Besides Kohli’s foundational knock, contributions from the top and middle order were crucial in securing the RCB IPL Victory. Liam Livingstone (25), Rajat Patidar (24), and Glenn Maxwell (22) kept the scoreboard ticking, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru build a strong total. Despite a late collapse triggered by Arshdeep Singh’s final over heroics—where he picked up three wickets to restrict RCB’s scoring—the team’s resilience ensured the RCB IPL Victory remained intact. Under the guidance of coach Andy Flower, this well-rounded batting performance was key to clinching the RCB IPL Victory in a fiercely contested final.
England’s Phil Salt added a brisk 16 off nine balls, while Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep were instrumental in halting RCB’s acceleration towards 200.
Punjab Kings’ Chase: Shashank’s Heroics Fall Short
Punjab Kings, themselves hunting for a maiden title, faced a challenging chase. Early dismissals, including captain Shreyas Iyer for just one run, put them on the back foot at 98-4. Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 off 30 balls gave the team a flicker of hope, especially with 22 runs coming off the last four balls of the innings.
However, needing 29 from Josh Hazlewood’s final over proved too steep. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s crucial double strike and Romario Shepherd’s early breakthroughs stifled Punjab’s momentum.
Despite a valiant effort from the lower order, Punjab Kings finished at 184-7, just six runs shy.
Kohli’s Legacy Cemented
Kohli’s IPL career has been marked by individual brilliance but collective heartbreak. After falling short in three previous finals (2009, 2011, 2016), RCB’s triumph is a fitting tribute to his dedication. He captained the side from 2013 to 2021 and has remained the franchise’s heartbeat.
“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team,” he said. “Bangalore is in my blood.”
Andy Flower’s Coaching Masterclass
Andy Flower’s arrival at RCB in 2024 marked the beginning of a new era. In his first season, he took RCB to fourth place. A year later, he transformed them into champions. Under Flower’s guidance, RCB topped the playoff standings after a net run-rate battle with Punjab Kings.
They beat the Kings in Qualifier 1, ensuring a direct path to the final, and repeated the feat in the decider. Flower’s previous franchise successes include PSL glory with Multan Sultans (2021) and The Hundred title with Trent Rockets (2022).
England’s Impact: Salt, Livingstone, and Bethell
Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone played key roles in the final, with Salt contributing with the bat and in the field, while Livingstone continued his run of IPL success, now a two-time winner after last year’s triumph with Kolkata Knight Riders.
Jacob Bethell, although away with the England ODI team, played two matches this season and will also receive a winner’s medal.
A New Chapter in IPL History
The 2025 IPL Final was more than just a cricket match — it was a culmination of passion, perseverance, and dreams fulfilled. For RCB fans, this title ends years of agony and near misses. For Kohli, it fills the lone remaining void in a glittering career that already boasts a 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy.
RCB’s victory not only rewards a team built on loyalty and heart but also ushers in a new era where dreams, no matter how delayed, can come true with belief and resilience.
