Having suffered defeat in three previous finals across his 18-season IPL career, Kohli may have feared that the elusive title would once again slip away. But this time, fate had a different plan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
RCB\u2019s bowlers, led by Krunal Pandya\u2019s sensational 2\/17 from four overs, produced a spirited comeback to restrict Punjab Kings to 184\/7 and seal a dramatic six-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium, finally ending their long-standing title drought.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Shashank Singh nearly pulled off a miracle with a fighting 30-ball 61* \u2014 including three sixes and a four off the final over \u2014 RCB held their nerve to lift their maiden IPL trophy, adding it to their Women\u2019s Premier League (WPL) crown from earlier in the season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Long branded as underachievers, RCB finally buried that tag with a complete campaign in 2025, finishing second in the league stage and earning a direct ticket to the final after defeating PBKS in Qualifier 1.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the night of the final, it was Krunal Pandya who shone brightest. He dismissed the dangerous Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis, stalling Punjab\u2019s chase at key moments. Bhuvneshwar Kumar chipped in with 2\/38, while Romario Shepherd removed PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer \u2014 who had starred in the Eliminator with an unbeaten 87 \u2014 for just 1, leaving Punjab reeling at 98\/4.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Iyer\u2019s dismissal, edging behind off Shepherd, came right after Krunal had removed Prabhsimran with a miscued slog and Inglis in the middle overs, both crucial setbacks as PBKS struggled to keep up with the required rate on a slower surface.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite Shashank Singh\u2019s late blitz, Punjab couldn\u2019t recover from the cluster of wickets lost between overs 10 and 15, falling short in their second IPL final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
RCB Innings: Grit Over Glamour<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, put in to bat, RCB got off to a modest start. Phil Salt smashed 13 off the first over from Arshdeep Singh but was dismissed by Kyle Jamieson in the second. Jamieson bowled smartly, finishing with figures of 3\/48, while Arshdeep was the pick of the bowlers with 3\/40, including two wickets in the final over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kohli and Mayank Agarwal steadied the innings, taking RCB to 55\/1 by the end of the Powerplay. But Agarwal fell soon after for 24 (18), with Yuzvendra Chahal striking early in his spell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Skipper Rajat Patidar (26 off 16) looked fluent, hitting a couple of sixes off Chahal and Jamieson, but fell lbw to a cleverly disguised slower ball from the Kiwi. Kohli anchored the innings through the middle overs, finding boundaries with ramps and flicks but fell in the 15th over for 43 (35), mistiming a short ball from Azmatullah Omarzai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jitesh Sharma added urgency with a 10-ball 24, hitting three sixes in quick succession, including a brilliant Dilscoop and a pulled six off Jamieson. His fireworks, alongside a cameo from Romario Shepherd (17 off 9), lifted RCB to a competitive total.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite Arshdeep\u2019s heroics in the final over, which saw him dismiss Pandya and Bhuvneshwar while conceding just three runs, RCB\u2019s 190\/9 proved just enough.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kohli\u2019s Emotional Milestone<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Virat Kohli, this victory was more than just a trophy \u2014 it was the culmination of 18 years of loyalty, perseverance, and passion for a franchise that had often faltered at the final hurdle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His emotional collapse to the ground after the final ball, his post-match embrace with AB de Villiers, and his heartfelt words in interviews captured the significance of the moment \u2014 both personally and historically.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
---<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief Scores:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 190\/9 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 43, Rajat Patidar 26, Jitesh Sharma 24; Arshdeep Singh 3\/40, Kyle Jamieson 3\/48)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Punjab Kings: 184\/7 in 20 overs (Shashank Singh 61*; Krunal Pandya 2\/17, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2\/38)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 190\/9 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 43, Rajat Patidar 26, Jitesh Sharma 24; Arshdeep Singh 3\/40, Kyle Jamieson 3\/48)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n