The date of June 3, 2025, will forever be etched in the annals of IPL history, and more specifically, in the hearts of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans worldwide. After 18 long years of agonizing waits, heartbreaks, and the unwavering chant of “Ee Saala Cup Namdu,” the dream finally became a glorious reality. In a nail-biting encounter at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB defeated Punjab Kings by a mere 6 runs to lift their maiden Indian Premier League trophy!
The Journey to Glory: A Season of Resilience
RCB’s journey to the 2025 final was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Under the dynamic leadership of captain Rajat Patidar, who took the reins this season, the team displayed remarkable resilience.
They finished second in the league stage, showcasing consistent performances and a newfound belief. Their path to the final included a convincing victory against the very same Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch in the summit clash.
Punjab Kings, under the astute captaincy of Shreyas Iyer and guidance from coach Ricky Ponting, had also enjoyed a fantastic season, reaching their first final since 2014 and only their second overall. Both teams were desperate to end their respective trophy droughts, adding an extra layer of intensity to the grand finale.
The Grand Finale: A Battle of Nerves in Ahmedabad
The atmosphere at the Narendra Modi Stadium on June 3rd was electric. A sea of red dominated the stands, with RCB fans, who had endured years of near-misses, turning up in massive numbers, their hopes soaring.
Toss and First Innings: RCB Sets a Challenging Total
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and, perhaps surprisingly to some, opted to bowl first on what was considered a decent batting track. RCB’s innings began with the usual aggression, but wickets fell at crucial junctures.
Phil Salt (16 off 9) provided a quick start but was dismissed early. The backbone of RCB’s innings was none other than the talismanic Virat Kohli, who played a gritty knock of 43 runs off 35 balls. While it wasn’t his most fluent innings, his presence at the crease provided stability.
Contributions from other batters, including Rajat Patidar (26 off 16), Liam Livingstone (25 off 15), and crucial cameos in the death overs from Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10) and Romario Shepherd (17 off 9), propelled RCB to a competitive total of 190/9 in their 20 overs.
Punjab’s bowlers, particularly Kyle Jamieson (3/48) and Arshdeep Singh (3/40), were impressive, picking up vital wickets to keep RCB from running away with a much larger score. Arshdeep’s final over, where he picked up three wickets, showcased his death-bowling prowess.
The Chase: Punjab’s Valiant Effort
Chasing 191 for their maiden IPL title, Punjab Kings started aggressively. Openers Priyansh Arya (24 off 19) and Prabhsimran Singh (26 off 22) laid a solid foundation, putting on 43 runs in the powerplay. However, the RCB bowlers, backed by sharp fielding, kept chipping away at the wickets. Josh Hazlewood provided the first breakthrough, and then the spin wizardry of Krunal Pandya came to the fore.
Krunal Pandya, later adjudged Player of the Match, bowled a magnificent spell of 2 wickets for just 17 runs in his 4 overs. His dismissals of set batters Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis (39 off 23) were pivotal, halting Punjab’s momentum. Romario Shepherd also picked up the crucial wicket of captain Shreyas Iyer for just 1, dealing a significant blow to Punjab’s chase.
Despite losing wickets, the Punjab Kings never gave up. Shashank Singh played a sensational innings, keeping his team in the hunt with a breathtaking 61 runs off just 30 balls, studded with 3 fours and 6 towering sixes. He was ably supported by Nehal Wadhera (15 off 18).
The Thrilling Climax: RCB Holds Their Nerve
As the game entered its final overs, the tension was unbearable. Punjab Kings needed 29 runs off the last over, with Shashank Singh at the crease. He tried his best, hitting 22 runs off the final six balls, but it wasn’t enough.
RCB’s bowlers, particularly in the critical death overs, held their nerve. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal delivered tight overs, picking up key wickets and preventing Punjab from finding the big hits consistently.
When the final ball was bowled, and Punjab Kings finished at 184/7, the roar from the RCB faithful was deafening. The 18-year wait was over! Royal Challengers Bengaluru had finally done it!
Tears of Joy and a Historic Moment
The scenes that followed were a culmination of years of emotion. Virat Kohli, the face of RCB for so long, was visibly overwhelmed, tears streaming down his face as he finally lifted the coveted trophy. Rajat Patidar, the captain who led them to this historic moment, joined him in the celebrations, a testament to his leadership in his debut captaincy season.
The victory parade and celebrations that followed in Bengaluru were epic, with thousands of fans turning the city red. This win is not just a trophy; it’s a vindication for the loyalty of the RCB fanbase, a testament to the perseverance of players like Virat Kohli, and a reminder that in sports, sometimes, patience and unwavering support truly do pay off.
The IPL 2025 final was a fitting end to a memorable season, showcasing high-quality cricket, dramatic twists, and ultimately, a fairytale ending for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “Ee Saala Cup Namdu” is no longer a chant of hope; it’s a joyous declaration of fact!
Sourashis Chanda brings readers their unique perspective on Business, Economy, Health and Fitness. With a background in Health and Physical Fitness of 2years, I am dedicated to exploring [what they aim to achieve with their writing, on the sustainable Economy of the country, various pro tips about business, latest goverment news, with some tips in health are and Fitness.
- Sourashis Chandahttps://indiatadkha.com/author/sourashis/
- Sourashis Chandahttps://indiatadkha.com/author/sourashis/
- Sourashis Chandahttps://indiatadkha.com/author/sourashis/
- Sourashis Chandahttps://indiatadkha.com/author/sourashis/
