After seventeen seasons of near misses and emotional heartbreaks, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has finally lifted the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. Once branded perennial bridesmaids with three previous runners-up finishes, RCB emerged victorious, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a pulsating final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.
The win marked a historic moment not only for the franchise but also for its loyal and massive fanbase, which had endured years of disappointment. With the triumph, Virat Kohli – one of the modern legends of the game – added the one missing piece to his otherwise glittering resume. As the crowd, overwhelmingly RCB supporters, erupted in joy, Kohli’s long-awaited moment finally arrived.
What made this triumph even more special was that it came under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, who captained the side for the first time this season. Patidar achieved what RCB greats like Kohli, Anil Kumble, and Rahul Dravid could not. Against a determined PBKS side and in front of a packed stadium, Patidar’s team held its nerve to etch its name in IPL history.
RCB posted a modest total of 190 for nine after batting first, and it seemed for a moment that they might have missed a golden opportunity. But their bowling unit rose to the occasion, putting up a superb performance that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
The early turning point in the chase came when PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, the hero of their successful run-chase against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, fell cheaply. Medium-pacer Romario Shepherd claimed Iyer’s wicket when the latter nicked an innocuous delivery outside off-stump. Iyer departed for just one run, and with him, PBKS’s title dreams began to fade.
The foundation for that dismissal was laid by Krunal Pandya, who bowled a game-changing spell. Introduced into the attack in the seventh over, the left-arm spinner baffled the batters with his tight line and length. He conceded only 17 runs in his full quota of four overs and took two crucial wickets—those of Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis. His economical and incisive bowling halted PBKS’s momentum and helped RCB wrest control.
Though Shashank Singh tried to mount a late challenge with a blistering unbeaten knock of 61 from 30 deliveries, including three fours and six sixes, the task proved too steep. His lone battle could not prevent the inevitable, as RCB kept chipping away with regular wickets.
Earlier, Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first—a strategy that had worked well for PBKS in their prior match. Rain earlier in the day had left the surface damp, which prompted a cautious start from the RCB batters.
Phil Salt provided a brief flourish at the top with a nine-ball 16, but RCB’s top order generally opted for a measured approach. Kohli assumed the anchor role, compiling a composed 43 off 35 balls with three boundaries. He focused on placement and quick running rather than aggressive strokeplay, which put pressure on his partners to take risks and accelerate the scoring.
As the run rate started to dip below nine an over, RCB turned to Jitesh Sharma for a late surge. Sharma responded with an explosive 24 off just 10 deliveries, giving the innings a much-needed boost. Even so, PBKS would have felt confident about keeping RCB under the 200-run mark.
Despite that psychological advantage, RCB’s bowlers made sure the total was enough. The dismissal of Iyer was symbolic—a single, decisive moment that turned the tide in RCB’s favor. Kohli, speaking after the match, looked visibly relieved and emotional. The win filled a glaring void in his career accomplishments. As he stood amidst celebrations, the significance of the night was unmistakable.
RCB’s disciplined bowling performance, combined with fielding brilliance and smart captaincy, proved too much for PBKS. Krunal Pandya’s economical spell was the game’s unsung highlight, while Romario Shepherd’s timely breakthrough rattled the opposition early.
In his post-match comments, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer admitted the early loss of wickets hurt their chase. “It was a tough one. Losing early wickets, especially mine, put pressure on the middle order. We tried our best, but credit to RCB—they were the better team tonight.”
Meanwhile, Rajat Patidar was full of praise for his squad. “It’s a surreal feeling. We stuck together through tough games and believed we could do it. This trophy is for every RCB fan who never gave up on us,” he said.
RCB’s journey to the title has been long, filled with heartbreaks and what-ifs. But on this night, every painful memory was replaced by euphoria. The scenes at the Narendra Modi Stadium spoke volumes—flags waving, fans chanting, and players embracing each other in tears and triumph.
The scoreboard painted a gripping tale of the contest:
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU
- Phil Salt: c Shreyas b Jamieson 16 (9b, 2×4, 1×6)
- Virat Kohli: c & b Omarzai 43 (35b, 3×4)
- Mayank Agarwal: c Arshdeep b Chahal 24 (18b, 2×4, 1×6)
- Rajat Patidar: lbw b Jamieson 26 (16b, 1×4, 2×6)
- Liam Livingstone: lbw b Jamieson 25 (15b, 2×6)
- Jitesh Sharma: b Vyshak 24 (10b, 2×4, 2×6)
- Romario Shepherd: lbw b Arshdeep 17 (9b, 1×4, 1×6)
- Krunal Pandya: c Shreyas b Arshdeep 4 (5b)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: c Priyansh b Arshdeep 1 (2b)
- Yash Dayal: not out 1 (1b)
- Extras: (w-9) 9
- Total: 190 for 9 in 20 overs
Fall of Wickets:
1-18 (Salt), 2-56 (Mayank), 3-96 (Patidar), 4-131 (Kohli), 5-167 (Livingstone), 6-171 (Jitesh), 7-188 (Shepherd), 8-189 (Krunal), 9-190 (Bhuvneshwar)
PBKS BOWLING:
- Arshdeep: 4-0-40-3
- Jamieson: 4-0-48-3
- Omarzai: 4-0-35-1
- Vyshak: 4-0-30-1
In the end, RCB’s six-run win was a story of perseverance, planning, and redemption. As Kohli summed up perfectly, “This is for every RCB fan who stood by us year after year. This night, this win, is unforgettable.”