A Historic Night in Ahmedabad: RCB vs PBKS Delivers Drama
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) faced off in the IPL Final 2025 at Ahmedabad, producing a classic RCB vs PBKS showdown. In a match that saw both teams chase history, RCB posted 190-9, with Virat Kohli top-scoring at 43 off 35 balls. PBKS fought back valiantly, finishing on 184-7, but ultimately fell short by six runs. This was RCB’s first IPL title after 18 seasons—a moment fans had long awaited.
Virat Kohli’s performance underscored why he remains one of cricket’s greats. At 36 years old, the only player to represent RCB in every edition, Kohli carried his side to a competitive total before Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed him. On the bowling front, PBKS pacers Arshdeep Singh claimed 3-40, and Kyle Jamieson finished with 3-48. Punjab Kings looked poised to chase down 191 until Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 off 30 balls fell just short. Hardik Pandya’s tight spell (2-17) in the middle overs kept RCB in control.
Key Performances in RCB vs PBKS IPL Final 2025
RCB Batting Highlights
- Virat Kohli (43 off 35): Kohli’s innings featured crucial boundaries at key moments, pushing RCB to 143 before his dismissal. “I never thought this day would come,” Kohli said post-match. “I’ve given each ounce of my energy to this team. To finally win the IPL is an amazing feeling.”
- Phil Salt (16 off 9): Salt provided quick runs at the top alongside Kohli before Shreyas Iyer caught him off Jamieson.
- Liam Livingstone (25): Batting at number three, Livingstone chipped in with a disciplined knock, helping maintain RCB’s momentum.
PBKS Bowling Standouts
- Arshdeep Singh (3-40): Singh’s triple-wicket haul in the final over prevented RCB from passing 200, proving decisive in a tight game.
- Kyle Jamieson (3-48): Jamieson’s pace and bounce yielded three wickets, including the scalp of Salt early on.
- Hardik Pandya (2-17): Pandya’s two wickets in the middle overs stemmed Punjab’s flow, contributing to their inability to chase.
PBKS Batting Response
- Shashank Singh (61 off 30):* Shashank’s blistering innings featured 22 runs from the final four balls of Hazlewood’s over, bringing PBKS within reach.
- Nehal Wadhera: Paired with Shashank in rebuilding after Shreyas Iyer’s early departure, Wadhera’s partnership lay the foundation for a comeback.
- Marcus Stoinis: The Australian all-rounder struck aggressively before falling to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, stalling Punjab’s charge.
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Virat Kohli’s Journey to IPL Glory
Virat Kohli’s road to lifting the IPL trophy in the ipl 2025 final spanned 18 seasons. He debuted for RCB at age 19 in April 2008, scoring just one run on a first-ball duck. Still, Kohli went on to amass 8,661 runs at an average of 39.54, with eight hundreds and 63 half-centuries for the franchise. He tasted heartbreak in three previous finals: losing to Deccan Chargers in 2009, Chennai Super Kings in 2011, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. As RCB’s captain from 2013 to 2021, he shouldered the hopes of millions but never crossed the finish line—until this night.
Kohli’s consistency was evident in the 2025 season, averaging 54.75. He arrived at the final fresh off India’s 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy wins. “This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team,” Kohli reflected. “I’ve given this team my youth, my prime, and my experience. As sportsmen, we grind for something, and this was missing.” After 267 matches in the IPL, Kohli finally celebrated his first title.
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Andy Flower’s Coaching Brilliance
Andy Flower, in his second season as RCB coach, steered the team to new heights. Flower took the reins ahead of the 2024 campaign, guiding RCB to fourth place and an eliminator loss. In 2025, his side finished second in the league stage—just behind Punjab Kings on net run rate. Flower’s men then defeated PBKS twice in the playoffs: first in the qualifier and again in the final.
Flower’s coaching résumé includes PSL success with Multan Sultans in 2021 and The Hundred title with Trent Rockets in 2022. His experience helped RCB adapt their strategy under high-pressure situations. England internationals Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell earned winner’s medals—Salt and Livingstone even took critical catches in the final. Bethell, however, returned home mid-tournament for England’s third ODI against the West Indies, yet still celebrated the win from afar.
Match-Winning Moments in the IPL Final 2025
- RCB vs PBKS Scorecard:
- RCB Batting: 190-9 (20 overs) — Kohli 43, Salt 16, Livingstone 25
- PBKS Bowling: Arshdeep 3-40, Jamieson 3-48, Pandya 2-17
- PBKS Batting: 184-7 (20 overs) — Shashank 61*, Wadhera 24
- RCB Bowling: Bhuvneshwar 2-34, Shepherd 1-41, Hazlewood 1-55
- Turning Point: Arshdeep Singh’s three wickets in Hazlewood’s final over restricted RCB to 190, making the chase more attainable.
- Punjab’s Fightback: After slipping to 98-4, Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh’s partnership revived PBKS hopes. Shashank’s 22 off the last four balls came close, but time ran out at 184-7.
- Emotional Highs: When the final ball was bowled, Kohli was overcome with emotion, reflecting on nearly two decades of near misses.
Why RCB vs PBKS Will Be Remembered
This RCB vs PBKS final marked the culmination of RCB’s long-standing hunt for an IPL championship. Fans had endured three previous final heartbreaks—Bangalore lost to Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Punjab Kings, too, chased their first IPL title, only to fall short despite a valiant effort. The six-run margin underscored just how fine the margins are in T20 cricket.
For Paolo Eravalli, a die-hard RCB supporter in Bangalore, “ee sala cup namdu” (this year, the cup is ours) became a reality. Social media buzzed with “#EE_Sala_Cup_Namdu” trending across platforms as fans celebrated. Even ESPNcricinfo’s live commentary noted that RCB’s balanced approach—mixing youth and experience—finally paid dividends.
Looking Ahead: RCB Captain 2025 and Future IPL Matches
With Virat Kohli confirmed as RCB captain 2025, the franchise enters the next season brimming with confidence. Questions remain: How will RCB defend their crown? Will they repeat the formula that worked so well in the ipl match? Fans will watch every RCB match today and every PBKS outing closely, knowing that both teams have built momentum.
Punjab Kings, despite losing, can take solace in their strong performance throughout the ipl 2025 season. Their journey to the final showcased young talents and battle-hardened veterans, setting a solid foundation for next year. RCB vs PBKS clashes will remain a highlight, especially when Royal Challengers take on Punjab in league matches—fans will be jockeying for a rematch.
Final Thoughts
The RCB vs PBKS IPL Final 2025 will be talked about for years. Royal Challengers Bengaluru broke their 18-year title drought, while Punjab Kings demonstrated grit in pursuit of their maiden crown. Virat Kohli’s emotional victory was a reminder of the power of perseverance. Under Andy Flower’s coaching, RCB combined veteran leadership with impactful performances from overseas stars like Salt, Livingstone, and Bethell.
Punjabi supporters will remember Shashank Singh’s last-over heroics, even if they fell six runs short. As the cricket world looks forward to the next season, fans can relive every moment on Cricinfo and follow “rcb vs punjab” highlights. The ipl final 2025 will go down as an epic chapter in Indian Premier League history—one that ended with the roar of “ee sala cup namdu” echoing across Bangalore.
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