Daily news highlights from the IPL 2025 Final bring great joy to fans of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). After 18 long years and three previous final losses, RCB are finally IPL champions. They defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in a close and emotional final match held in Ahmedabad.
RCB Scores First and Defends a Modest Total
- RCB batted first and scored 190 runs for 9 wickets.
- Virat Kohli top-scored for the team with 43 runs off 35 balls.
- PBKS bowler Arshdeep Singh impressed with 3 wickets for 40 runs, while Kyle Jamieson also took 3 wickets for 48 runs.
Even though the total of 190 seemed slightly below average on a batting pitch, the game turned into a battle of bowlers. PBKS had chased down 204 just two days earlier at the same venue, so the expectations were high. But this pitch played differently and gave RCB’s bowlers a chance to shine.
Strong Bowling Effort Wins the Game for RCB
RCB’s bowlers kept their cool under pressure:
- Krunal Pandya, who has won IPL titles before with Mumbai Indians, bowled tight and smartly, taking 2 wickets for 17 runs in crucial middle overs.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, another experienced player, also took 2 wickets for 38 runs.
- Youngster Yash Dayal held his nerves and helped maintain pressure on PBKS throughout the chase.
PBKS needed 29 runs in the last over, and although Shashank Singh hit 61 not out in a brave effort, it was not enough. His four big hits in the last over came too late.
Kohli’s Special Moment in RCB’s History
- Wearing jersey number 18, Virat Kohli had played 18 seasons with RCB without winning the trophy.
- His innings of 43 runs seemed slow at times but was crucial on a tough pitch.
- Kohli struggled with short balls due to the unexpected bounce, but he guided RCB to a defendable total.
This win completes Kohli’s dream journey with RCB, as he finally holds the IPL trophy he has chased for years. It was a proud moment for him and all the fans who never gave up.
Turning Point: Krunal’s Magical Spell
Krunal Pandya made a big difference with the ball:
- He entered the bowling attack when the match was evenly balanced.
- His accurate bowling and smart changes in pace made it very hard for PBKS batters to score.
- He dismissed Prabhsimran Singh by cleverly bowling much slower than usual, tricking the batter into a false shot.
Krunal’s spell changed the direction of the match completely.
PBKS Miss Out Despite Heroic Efforts
- PBKS started well with Shashank Singh scoring 61 not out off 30 balls.
- Josh Inglis added quick runs with 39 runs, including four sixes.
- However, wickets at the wrong time hurt their momentum.
- Shreyas Iyer, who has also faced heartbreak in past finals, got out early once again, which added to PBKS’s troubles.
Inglis was especially good against short balls but got out while trying to hit Krunal for another big shot. His wicket was a big blow to PBKS’s chances.
Jitesh Sharma’s Quick Knock Saves RCB
- During RCB’s batting, many players got out after good starts.
- Jitesh Sharma came in late and scored 24 runs off just 10 balls, which pushed RCB’s score closer to 200.
- He hit two beautiful sixes—one flat over cover and one scoop over his head.
- These quick runs proved important in the final result.
Arshdeep Singh bowled a brilliant final over, taking three wickets and allowing just five runs, but the total was just enough for RCB.
After 18 years of waiting, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally have their moment of glory. And for Virat Kohli, it is a dream come true — a story of loyalty, passion, and never giving up.
