By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Jun 04, 2025 02:44 AM • 136 views
Eighteen years of heartbreak, mockery, and "Ee Sala Cup Namde" chants have finally found their full stop. Royal Challengers Bangalore are the new champions of the Indian Premier League, sealing their maiden IPL title with a gripping six-run victory over Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium on a pulsating Tuesday night in Ahmedabad. This wasn't just a win. It was an exorcism. A catharsis. A triumph scripted in the shadows of three painful final losses—2009, 2011, and 2016. But this time, under the lights, with a nation watching, RCB held their nerve. And how. Punjab Kings, chasing a stiff target of 191, came within striking distance, propelled by a belligerent Shashank Singh, who smashed an unbeaten 61 off just 30 balls (6x6, 3x4) and nearly stole the show in the death overs. But in the end, it was heartbreak for Punjab—again. Their second final loss, the first coming back in 2014 to Kolkata Knight Riders. RCB's bowlers stood tall in the crunch. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya picked up two wickets apiece, while Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, and Romario Shepherd each chipped in with vital breakthroughs. The final over, bowled by Hazlewood, was a test of nerves. With 12 needed, Shashank drilled the first ball for four, but Hazlewood tightened the screws, nailing his yorkers to perfection and sealing the win as Bengaluru's dugout erupted in ecstasy.
A Collective Batting Effort
Earlier in the evening, RCB were put into bat after losing the toss. Despite never really stringing together a massive partnership, they kept the scoreboard ticking with essential contributions throughout the lineup.
Virat Kohli, ever the big-match player, top-scored with a composed 43. Captain Rajat Patidar (26), Liam Livingstone (25), Mayank Agarwal and Jitesh Sharma (24 each), Romario Shepherd (17) and Phil Salt (16) stitched together a fighting total of 190 for 9.
Punjab's bowlers, though expensive at times, fought hard. Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets each, while Chahal, Omarzai, and Vaishak managed one apiece.
Kohli's Moment. Bengaluru's Redemption.
For Virat Kohli, this win carries emotional weight. After 16 years of loyalty, frustration, and unwavering faith, he can now finally lift the trophy that eluded him for so long. It's poetic. The man who gave everything to this franchise finally gets his due.
As the fireworks lit up the Ahmedabad sky and chants of "RCB! RCB!" rang out across the stadium, history was made.
