(By Devansh Desai)
Ahmedabad: The wait is over. After 18 long, agonizing years filled with heartbreak and near-misses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have etched their name in IPL history. On June 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB finally broke their championship drought with a convincing victory over Punjab Kings in what was perhaps the most emotionally charged IPL final ever witnessed.
The victory triggered scenes of unbridled joy as players, fans, and legends alike erupted in celebration, putting an end to nearly two decades of near-misses and heartbreak. RCB’s triumph was built on a spirited all-round performance, highlighted by Krunal Pandya’s stunning 2/17 spell and the tactical brilliance of debutant captain Rajat Patidar.
The Long-Awaited Glory
For a franchise that has seen icons like Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, and Virat Kohli carry the torch without success, this win felt like redemption. Virat Kohli, now 36, who already boasts a World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy title, added the elusive IPL trophy to his glittering cabinet achieving the ultimate career full circle.
As the final wicket fell and the Chinnaswamy erupted, Kohli visibly emotional was mobbed by teammates. “I’ve dreamt of this moment for 18 years. We’ve been laughed at, doubted, but this is for every RCB fan who believed,” Kohli told Star Sports in a tearful post-match interview.
Punjab’s Bright Start, RCB’s Fightback
Chasing a competitive target of 190, PBKS began with intent. Openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh attacked from ball one, racing to 52/0 inside five overs. But once Patidar unleashed his spin duo Krunal and Suyash Sharma the game began to twist.
From a commanding 72/1 in the 9th over, Punjab crumbled to 98/4 in under four overs. Krunal’s breakthrough removing the dangerous Prabhsimran set off a domino effect. Romario Shepherd followed it up by dismissing Shreyas Iyer before Krunal struck again, this time taking out the in-form Josh Inglis.
PBKS Collapse Under Pressure
Needing over 60 from the final four overs, PBKS still had hopes pinned on Nehal Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar, unfazed by the pressure, broke their back with a double-strike in the 17th over. With Stoinis and Wadhera gone, the equation became insurmountable.
Even the presence of AB de Villiers, who rushed from the commentary box to the edge of the boundary in anticipation, symbolised the magnitude of the moment. RCB fans, often the butt of jokes for years, finally had their day.
RCB’s First Innings: A Tale of Grit
Earlier, RCB’s batting innings was a mixed bag. Phil Salt gave a fiery start with a six and a four in the opening over but was dismissed for 16 by Kyle Jamieson. Kohli and Mayank Agarwal stabilised the innings, reaching 59/1 by the powerplay.
However, RCB struggled to maintain momentum. Kohli’s cautious 47 off 38 balls and Patidar’s brief 22-run cameo left them wobbling at 130/4 by the 15th over. Arshdeep Singh’s spectacular final over (3 wickets, 4 runs) nearly derailed RCB’s innings, but Romario Shepherd’s 14-run 19th over ensured a defendable 190 was posted.
Final Scorecard:
- RCB: 190/9 (Kohli 47, Agarwal 39, Jamieson 3/32, Arshdeep 3/36)
- PBKS: 169 all out (Prabhsimran 34, Inglis 32, Krunal 2/17, Bhuvneshwar 2/24)
- Result: RCB won by 21 runs
- Player of the Match: Krunal Pandya
A Title That Redefines a Legacy
For years, RCB has been synonymous with promise unfulfilled. But on June 3, 2025, under a new captain and a rejuvenated spirit, they finally conquered the summit. The memes and jokes will now turn into memories and moments of pride.
“RCB hain, toh mumkin hai,” read a fan’s placard in the stands—a nod to belief, persistence, and eventual glory.
What’s Next?
With the win, RCB qualify directly for the Champions League T20 reboot scheduled later this year in the UAE. Patidar, in his debut season as skipper, has instantly joined the pantheon of IPL greats, and Kohli can now finally say it he’s won it all.
RCB are no longer just a team with passionate fans. They are champions.