After 18 seasons of heartbreak, near-misses, and endless belief, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have finally claimed their maiden IPL title, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a tense final at Ahmedabad. For RCB fans, the phrase “Ee Sala Cup Namde”—this year the cup is ours—has at last been fulfilled.
The final was a dramatic showcase of composure and experience, led by Virat Kohli’s gritty 43 and sharp bowling spells from Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Chasing 191, Punjab Kings fought till the very end, but a calm and calculated RCB bowling attack edged them out in the crucial moments.
RCB posted 190 for 9 after being sent in to bat, with Kohli anchoring the innings while Punjab’s Kyle Jamieson (3 for 48) and Arshdeep Singh (3 for 40) dismantled the rest. Despite falling short of a 200-plus score, RCB’s total proved enough on a pitch offering uneven bounce and movement. Kohli’s strike rate came under scrutiny at times, but his assessment of the tricky pitch turned out to be spot on.
PBKS had a familiar script of misfiring under pressure, but there were sparks of brilliance. Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 off 30 balls, featuring late fireworks including two sixes and a four in the final over, gave Punjab a glimmer of hope. However, needing 29 off the final six balls was always going to be a stretch—despite ending the match in style with 6, 4, 6, 6, it was too late.
The turning point came during the middle overs when Krunal Pandya, brought into the attack with PBKS well-placed at 52 for 1, completely shifted the game’s momentum. His accurate, deceptive spin (2 for 17) dismissed the struggling Prabhsimran Singh and stemmed the run flow. Krunal, already a three-time IPL winner with Mumbai Indians, once again proved his value in high-pressure games—this time as a game-changing bowler.
Josh Inglis briefly threatened to pull off the chase with his dazzling pull shots and raw power, scoring 39 off 20. But just as PBKS seemed to be building momentum, he misread a delivery from Krunal and fell at a pivotal moment. Earlier, Shreyas Iyer, who had been instrumental through the season, fell cheaply in a flashback to the 2023 World Cup final, edging a short ball in a crucial phase of the chase.
RCB’s bowling lineup, stacked with seasoned campaigners like Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal, held firm under pressure. Hazlewood’s final over began with two dot balls, effectively sealing the title despite Shashank’s late heroics.
RCB’s innings itself was a story of steady rebuilding. With Kohli holding the innings together, the middle order failed to capitalize on starts. Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, and Liam Livingstone all looked dangerous but fell before accelerating. It was Jitesh Sharma’s cameo of 24 off 10, including audacious strokes like a flat-batted six over cover and a scoop over fine leg, that gave RCB the finishing boost they needed. However, death overs from Arshdeep and Vyshak pegged them back with disciplined, stump-targeting bowling.
This win marks a career-defining moment for Virat Kohli, who has been with the franchise since its inception in 2008. Despite individual accolades and incredible records, the elusive IPL trophy had always slipped from his grasp—until now. As he lifted the cup wearing his iconic No. 18 jersey, it was a moment that transcended stats, a culmination of loyalty, belief, and resilience.
For Punjab Kings, the wait continues. But their journey to the final and the performances of stars like Shashank, Inglis, and Jamieson suggest their day might not be far.
As confetti rained down in Ahmedabad, the chants of “RCB, RCB!” echoed across the stadium—this time, with reason to roar. The drought is over. The cup is finally theirs.