In a historic culmination to the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their first-ever IPL title by narrowly defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, 2025.
Match Overview: RCB vs PBKS Final
-
RCB Innings: Opting to bat first, RCB posted a total of 190/9 in their 20 overs. Virat Kohli top-scored with 43 runs off 35 balls, while Jitesh Sharma contributed a quickfire 24 off 10 deliveries. Despite a late-order collapse, RCB managed to set a competitive target.
-
PBKS Chase: In response, Punjab Kings managed 184/7 in their allotted overs. Shashank Singh’s valiant unbeaten 61 off 30 balls kept PBKS in contention, but RCB’s bowlers held their nerve in the final overs to secure the win.
Key Performances
-
Krunal Pandya: Named Player of the Match for his economical bowling, taking 2 wickets for 17 runs in 4 overs, including 12 dot balls.
-
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Claimed 2 wickets for 38 runs, providing crucial breakthroughs.
-
Josh Hazlewood: Delivered a tight final over, conceding 22 runs but ensuring RCB’s victory.
Emotional Victory for Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, who has been with RCB since the league’s inception in 2008, was visibly emotional after the win. He was seen in tears, embracing his wife Anushka Sharma, a moment that resonated with fans worldwide.
Bollywood and Tollywood Celebrate RCB’s Triumph
The entertainment industry joined fans in celebrating RCB’s historic win:
-
Ranveer Singh: Shared a photo of Kohli and de Villiers, captioning it “This is everything,” and posted a video of an emotional Kohli on the field.
-
Ajay Devgn: Posted on Instagram, “Been watching and cheering for years…finally RCB has made history. Congratulations @virat.kohli and the entire team @royalchallengers.bengaluru.”
Been watching and cheering for years….finally RCB has made history. Congratulations @imVkohli and the entire team @RCBTweets 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/CpLr165zVd
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) June 3, 2025
-
Arjun Kapoor: Wrote, “Grit resilience perseverance loyalty faith belief and hardwork…Everything that happened over 18 years seen worth it for this moment!!! Congratulations to @virat.kohli and @royalchallengers.bengaluru.”
-
Allu Arjun: Shared a video of his son Ayaan getting emotional after RCB’s win, captioning it, “Ee sala cup namde! Historic win. RCB. Congratulations.”
-
Vicky Kaushal: Posted on Instagram Stories, “18 (emotional face, red heart and trophy emojis),” and shared a collage of Kohli, writing, “To the man who’s given everything to the sport…this was long due! @virat.kohli #18.”
-
Sonu Sood: Tweeted, “RCB!!! Mehnat ka phal meetha hota hai – finally! Virat bhai & team, Heartily congratulations. Punjab – tough luck, played with heart and character! Respect to both sides!”
-
Kartik Aaryan: Shared a video of Kohli getting emotional, writing, “Finally Jersey No 18. After 18 years. Congratulations, GOAT @virat.kohli.”
Aamir Khan’s Commentary and Praise
Actor Aamir Khan made a rare appearance in the commentary box during the IPL 2025 final. When asked about cricket’s perfectionists, he remarked, “I used to call Sachin Tendulkar a perfectionist. I feel that Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are perfectionists. What a bowler he is.”
Bengaluru Celebrates: Victory Parade Planned
Following the monumental win, Bengaluru is set to host a grand victory parade featuring RCB players, including Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle. The city’s streets will be adorned in red and gold as fans celebrate the team’s success. The parade will be broadcast live for those unable to attend in person.
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 ⭐️ RCB PLAYED BOLD! 😇
17 Years, 6256 Days, 90,08,640 Minutes later, the wait finally ends. 🙌🤯
The IPL Trophy is finally coming home. And we CANT KEEP CALM! 🤩😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/lQvtLff9o2
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 3, 2025
Sachin Tendulkar’s Congratulatory Message
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar congratulated RCB on their victory, highlighting the symbolic significance of Kohli—wearing jersey No. 18—lifting the trophy after nearly two decades of dedication.
RCB’s maiden IPL title not only marks a significant achievement for the team but also resonates deeply with fans and players who have remained loyal throughout the years. The victory stands as a testament to perseverance, dedication, and the unyielding spirit of sportsmanship.
