Royal Challengers Bengaluru Lift IPL Trophy for the First Time After 18 Years of Wait, Beat Punjab Kings by 6 Runs in Final

It took 18 seasons, many heartbreaks, and countless memes, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru have finally done it. On a warm Ahmedabad evening at the Narendra Modi Stadium, RCB defeated Punjab Kings by 6 runs in the IPL 2025 final to lift their first-ever IPL trophy. The wait is over. The celebrations are real.

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙈𝙋𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎! 🏆@RCBTweets Captain Rajat Patidar collects the prestigious #TATAIPL Trophy from Mr. Jay Shah, Chairman, ICC and Mr. Roger Binny, President, BCCI 🏆 👏👏#RCBvPBKS | #Final | #TheLastMile pic.twitter.com/UnhFg3QcW5

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 3, 2025

Punjab Kings won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to chase under lights. RCB, batting first, didn’t get off to a flying start but managed 55 runs in the powerplay with one wicket down. The innings was held together by Virat Kohli, who played a calm and mature knock of 43 off 35 balls. His innings wasn’t the flashiest, but it came at a time when RCB kept losing wickets and needed stability.

Rajat Patidar, leading the team into the finals, chipped in with a handy 21, and the middle order tried to push on. However, the Kings’ bowling, especially Kyle Jamieson, kept striking. Arshdeep picked up 3 wickets in the last over, while Jamieson took 3 for 48. RCB ended their innings at 190/9 a decent total but not overwhelming.

Punjab’s reply started well. They reached 52 runs in the powerplay and looked steady. Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis added quick runs, but the real threat came from Shashank Singh, who smashed 50 off just 29 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes. He kept the Kings in the game and nearly pulled off the chase.

But RCB’s bowlers held their nerve. Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought all his experience to the table, finishing with figures of 2/38. Krunal Pandya bowled tight lines and returned with 2/17 from his four overs. Suyash Sharma and other impact players chipped in when it mattered most.

Punjab Kings ended at 184/7, falling short by just 6 runs. It was another close finish in an IPL final, but this time, RCB ended up on the right side of it.

The win brought out raw emotions from Virat Kohli, who has been with RCB since the beginning of his IPL journey. In a post-match chat, a visibly emotional Kohli said, “This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It’s been 18 long years. I’ve given this team my youth, prime, and experience. To finally have it is an unbelievable feeling.”

He also added, “I stood behind this team no matter what. This is the team I’m going to play for till the last day of IPL. My heart and soul are with Bangalore. Tonight, I’ll sleep like a baby.”

Kohli didn’t miss the chance to talk about his close friend and former teammate AB de Villiers. “I told him, this win is as much yours as it is ours. He deserves to be on the podium, lifting the cup.”

On his cricket journey and the motivation to keep going, Kohli said, “There is an end date to our careers. Before I hang up my boots, I want to say I gave it everything I had. This team management has been outstanding. They’ve backed us throughout.”

When asked to compare this win with other highs in his career, he said, “This is right up there, but five levels below Test cricket. That’s the format I value the most.”

RCB’s journey this season was perfect. However, their tactics were questioned, auction decisions were doubted, and many didn’t see them as favourites. But they believed in their squad, stuck to their plans, and peaked at the right time.

Kohli summed it up best: “I had moments where I thought of leaving, but I stayed. My heart is with Bengaluru, my soul is with Bengaluru.”

With this win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have finally shaken off the “underachievers” tag. Their fans, who have stuck with them through ups and downs, finally have a reason to smile. And for Kohli, it’s a dream come true lifting the trophy in RCB colours after giving everything for almost two decades.

This isn’t just a trophy it’s a reward for years of loyalty, belief, and patience. For the players. For the management. And above all, for the fans.

This win means the world to the RCB fans who have supported the team through thick and thin. Every year the chant of “Ee Sala Cup Namde” echoed around stadiums, only to be left unanswered until now. The cup is finally namdu (ours).