The final match was exactly what you’d expect from a championship game! Royal Challengers Bengaluru, or RCB, really held their nerve and ended up beating Punjab Kings, PBKS, by just six runs.
For almost twenty years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their incredibly dedicated fans knew the feeling of both deep disappointment and endless hope. Every IPL season brought new aspirations, but they always seemed to end in the same old letdown – until 2025. That’s when everything finally clicked. When the very last ball was bowled at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Virat Kohli, who pretty much is the face of RCB’s never-give-up spirit, couldn’t hold back tears of happiness. His feelings mirrored those of millions of supporters who had waited 18 long years for this exact moment.
This win was more than just a victory; it was a massive, emotional weight lifted for a team that had come agonizingly close to the championship so many times before, only to fall short. The 2025 IPL final against the Punjab Kings was the ideal finish – two teams, both truly eager for their first title, fighting it out in a game that will certainly be remembered for its intensity, all the twists and turns, and how a real cricket legend and his beloved team finally earned their rightful win.
For people interested in cricket betting Singapore, this was definitely a game that kept everyone on the edge of their seats!
A Thrilling Showdown: RCB vs PBKS in a Match for the Ages
The 2025 IPL final was an absolute blockbuster, with RCB and PBKS going head-to-head in a match that truly delivered. Historically, these two teams have had some really close battles; before this final, PBKS actually had a slight lead, winning 17 games to RCB’s 16. But this season was different. RCB had already beaten PBKS twice leading up to the final, including a super strong win by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 that got them straight into the championship game.
RCB’s journey to the final really showed how tough and in-form they were. They kicked off their season with a win against the Kolkata Knight Riders, then followed it up with victories over the Chennai Super Kings and the Lucknow Super Giants – that last one included a record-breaking chase where they scored 228 runs. In the playoffs, RCB’s bowlers completely shut down PBKS, getting them out for just 101 runs in Qualifier 1.
Meanwhile, PBKS had to fight through the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to finally make it to the final, ending an 11-year wait for a shot at the title. So, everything was ready for an epic face-off between two teams hungry for their very first IPL championship.
Virat Kohli’s Masterclass: A Captain’s Knock That Sealed the Dream
When Virat Kohli walked into the final, he was truly RCB’s main man, having been the best player all tournament. He’d racked up 657 runs in 15 games, averaging a solid 54.75 and hitting fast with a strike rate of 144.71. Plus, he scored eight half-centuries, and every single one of those led to a win. In the final game itself, Kohli played a really important, steady innings, scoring 43 runs off 35 balls and holding things together for RCB’s total. Even though some people thought he played a bit too carefully, his calm batting was exactly what the team needed, especially as other players kept getting out around him.
Kohli’s leadership and how consistently well he played all season were very important for RCB’s journey. And when the final whistle blew, his reaction—with tears running down his face—really showed just how much that win meant to him and the whole team. He said it best: “I have given this team my youth, my prime and my experience… to finally have this moment come, it is an unbelievable feeling.” That quote perfectly captures all the hard work and expectations from 18 years finally paying off.
RCB’s Bowling Brilliance: How the Attack Crushed the Opposition’s Hopes
In the final game, RCB’s bowlers really stepped up. They successfully defended a score of 190 for 9, which seemed a bit low, but they played with real control and stayed calm under pressure. Their fast bowlers really got things going; for example, Bhuvneshwar Kumar took two key wickets in the very last overs. Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, and Romario Shepherd each grabbed one too. Even though PBKS started strong, RCB’s steady pressure and excellent fielding kept them from scoring freely, and PBKS ended up with 184 for 7, just six runs short.
Throughout the season, RCB’s bowling was very important in their journey to winning the title. In their first playoff game, they bowled out PBKS for only 101, and then in the final, they truly held their nerve during a tough chase. The experience of Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, mixed with Dayal’s fresh energy, gave RCB an advantage when it really mattered. This made it tough for the other team to get comfortable, something people on cricket betting sites would have been watching closely. Especially those bowling bets you probably don’t even notice most of the time.
The Moment It All Changed: Last Over Drama and the Winning Shot
The very last over of the 2025 IPL pretty much showed you everything about the whole match: it was incredibly tense, completely up in the air, and absolutely unforgettable. Punjab Kings needed just 13 runs from those final six balls with their main batsmen in, but Royal Challengers Bangalore’s bowlers executed their plan flawlessly. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who got the ball for that last over, bowled brilliantly under intense pressure, giving away only six runs and getting a crucial wicket.
The whole game came down to the very last ball, with Punjab needing a four to tie. Everyone in the stadium went completely silent as Hazlewood delivered a perfect, unhittable ball, which sealed the win for Bangalore. The moment the ball was collected, and the players erupted in celebration, you could see Virat Kohli drop to his knees, tears running down his face. That was a moment instantly famous in IPL history, showing the end of Bangalore’s long and tough journey to finally win the championship.
RCB’s Redemption is Finally Complete
After 18 years of coming so close and facing disappointments, RCB finally winning the IPL in 2025 was more than just getting their hands on a trophy. It was truly about never giving up, holding onto hope, and the incredible connection between the team and their dedicated fans. Seeing Virat Kohli’s tears of happiness really showed what that moment meant to so many people. It was the moment RCB shook off that old label of being the ‘almost’ team and truly became IPL champions. It’s a huge story that even folks interested in online betting cricket will be talking about for ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was RCB’s 2025 IPL win so emotional for Virat Kohli?
You can imagine how much that 2025 IPL win meant to Virat Kohli and the RCB team. It truly was an emotional moment for him because it finally ended an 18-year wait for their first championship title. Think about it: Kohli gave his best years to RCB, and even though they got close so many times, they never quite made it. So, that victory was the payoff for years of hard work, tough losses, and incredible loyalty. His happy tears perfectly showed what a huge sense of relief and accomplishment it was.
Who was the standout performer in the 2025 IPL Final?
Virat Kohli really shined for RCB all season, racking up 657 runs with an impressive average of 54.75. In the final match, his solid 43 runs really helped stabilize their batting. Then, the bowlers, especially Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, stepped up when it mattered most to seal the victory. Honestly, Kohli’s leadership and how consistently well he played were key to RCB winning their first championship.
How did RCB finally break their 18-year IPL drought?
It came down to a strong combination of steady batting, really sharp bowling, and solid leadership. They beat top teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants on their path to the final. In the playoffs, they impressively beat PBKS twice. Their bowlers delivered winning performances, and their batsmen, led by Kohli, consistently scored the runs that secured the title.