IPL 2025: Krunal Pandya Shines as RCB, Kohli Finally Clinch Maiden Title After 18 Years

For a moment, déjà vu loomed large over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and their talisman Virat Kohli. After Kohli’s composed 43 off 35 deliveries and a tight bowling display from Punjab Kings (PBKS) restricted RCB to 190/9 in the IPL 2025 final, the shadows of past heartbreaks resurfaced.

Having suffered three last-minute defeats in a glorious 18-season-long IPL career, Kohli looked set for yet another sad ending. But fate finally grinned at him and his side.

Backed by an outstanding bowling performance, led by Krunal Pandya who came back with incredible figures of 2/17 in four overs, RCB resisted a gallant challenge from PBKS to write a thrilling six-run victory at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, ending the years-long wait of the team for the much-hyped trophy.

In spite of Shashank Singh's gallant unbeaten 61 off only 30 balls—where three huge sixes and a boundary came in the last over—RCB maintained their nerve to clinch their first-ever IPL title, following their success earlier in the 2025 Women's Premier League (WPL).

Usually regarded as a side that flattered to deceive, RCB reversed fortunes this season. They ended at second place on the points table and qualified directly for the final by beating Punjab in Qualifier 1.

It was on the most crucial night of the tournament that Krunal Pandya proved to be the game-changer. His vital strikes—getting rid of in-form Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis—disturbed Punjab's rhythm. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also came up with performances of 2/38, while Romario Shepherd got rid of PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, who had been the hero in the Eliminator with an unbeaten 87, but could score only 1 in the final.

Shepherd's Iyer dismissal, caught behind, followed soon after Krunal's twin blows in the middle overs. The triple loss between the 10th and 15th overs left PBKS playing catch-up on a slowing track.

Though Shashank Singh led a breathtaking rearguard charge, the damage had been inflicted. Punjab, competing in their second IPL final, once again found themselves on the losing side.

RCB's Innings: Steady and Strategic

Sent in to bat, RCB started slowly. Phil Salt made an aggressive start by blasting 13 of Arshdeep Singh's first over, but then got out to Kyle Jamieson in the next one. Jamieson took 3/48, while Arshdeep contributed 3/40, of which there was a crucial last over when he conceded just three runs and scalped two wickets.

Kohli and Mayank Agarwal steadied the ship, taking RCB to 55/1 from six overs. Agarwal then lost his wicket for 24 off 18 balls when he was caught off a quick ball by Chahal.

Captain Rajat Patidar hit a 16-ball 26, hitting the ropes twice before being lbw trapped by a clever slower ball from Jamieson. Kohli held together the innings steadily, using scoops and flicks to keep the scoreboard moving, but his innings was brought to a close on 43 after he mis-timed a short ball from Azmatullah Omarzai in the 15th over.

Jitesh Sharma injected late momentum with a rapid 24 off 10, showcasing his flair with three sixes, including a smart Dilscoop and a powerful pull. Romario Shepherd chipped in with a handy 17 from nine balls to push RCB to a defendable total.

Despite Arshdeep’s final-over brilliance—dismissing Pandya and Bhuvneshwar and allowing just three runs—Punjab fell short in a nerve-wracking finish.

Kohli’s Defining Moment

For Virat Kohli, this victory was not just an IPL title. It represented years of effort, sacrifice, and unwavering faith in a team that had consistently fallen at the final hurdle.

His emotional celebration after the last ball, tearful hug with AB de Villiers, and poignant post-match speeches bore testament to the sheer magnitude of this long-sought success—both for himself and for RCB.

Match Summary:

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)

Punjab Kings: 184/7 in 20 overs
(Shashank Singh 61*; Krunal Pandya 2/17, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/38)

Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 6 runs.