The air in Ahmedabad crackled with anticipation on Tuesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium as Royal Challengers Bengaluru clashed with Punjab Kings in a pulsating IPL 2025 title decider.
What initially appeared to be a below-par target of 191 for PBKS ultimately proved insurmountable. RCB’s bowlers delivered another masterful performance, restricting Punjab Kings to 184/7 within their 20 overs, securing a historic six-run victory.
As the final moments unfolded and their maiden silverware seemed within grasp, Virat Kohli, a man who has tirelessly pursued this title year after year, was overcome with emotion, breaking down in tears. He had come agonizingly close on three previous occasions, only to face heartbreak. But not this Tuesday. In Virat Kohli’s own words, it can be said that “will sleep like a baby tonight”.
Punjab Kings began their chase with a promising start, as openers Priyansh Arya (24) and Prabhsimran Singh (26) forged a 43-run partnership in just five overs. However, RCB consistently landed crucial blows, even as Krunal Pandya delivered an exceptional spell of four overs, conceding only 17 runs and claiming the vital wickets of Prabhsimran and Josh Inglis (39).
The match remained finely poised during Prabhsimran and Inglis’s partnership, but once it was broken, RCB tightened their grip on the contest. The decisive moment that truly shattered PBKS’s hopes arrived when Romario Shepherd dismissed the in-form captain Shreyas Iyer, caught behind for a mere single. From that point on, RCB firmly became the favorites.
Despite Shashank Singh’s valiant unbeaten knock of 61, it wasn’t enough to prevent the wild celebrations that erupted within the RCB squad as they claimed their long-awaited title. This triumphant bowling display followed RCB’s earlier batting innings, where they managed to reach 190/9 in the final, struggling to exert significant scoreboard pressure on what was considered a favorable surface.
Congratulations RCB!
