Kohli Ends Title Drought with RCB’s 2025 IPL Win

Image Credit: RCB

RCB’s IPL Winning Moment

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title after defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a tense final match. The win, celebrated by fans worldwide, marked the end of an 18-year title drought and solidified Virat Kohli’s legacy as one of the greatest figures in the sport.

Held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the IPL 2025 Final saw RCB post 190/9 from their 20 overs, with Kohli playing a pivotal role at the top of the order. His 43 off 35 balls, opening alongside England’s Phil Salt, helped RCB lay the foundation for a competitive total. Salt contributed 16 off 9 before falling to Kyle Jamieson, while consistent mid-order contributions from Liam Livingstone (25) and others kept the scoreboard moving. PBKS seamer Arshdeep Singh delivered an impressive final over, taking three wickets and ensuring RCB didn’t reach the 200-run mark.

Punjab Kings, chasing 191, faced early setbacks and were 98-4 by the 13th over. Captain Shreyas Iyer, one of the most anticipated performers, was dismissed for just one run. Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh worked to rebuild the innings, but their momentum was disrupted when Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis were caught in quick succession off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Shashank, however, launched a fierce counterattack, scoring an unbeaten 61. He struck 22 runs off the last four deliveries of the match, bringing PBKS within touching distance but falling just short at 184/7.

The result gave RCB their long-awaited IPL crown after finishing runners-up three times in 2009, 2011, and 2016. Kohli, the only player to represent a single franchise throughout the IPL’s history, was visibly emotional after the final ball. He remarked that he had “given this team my youth, my prime, and my experience,” and that finally winning the title was an “amazing feeling.”

Kohli’s performance in IPL 2025 has been consistent, averaging 54.75 this season, and continuing a three-year streak of averaging over 50. Across 267 matches in his IPL career, Kohli has scored 8,661 runs, including eight centuries and 63 half-centuries. The 2025 title win is the latest addition to his growing list of achievements, following India’s victories in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

RCB’s success is also credited to the leadership of head coach Andy Flower. After joining the franchise for the 2024 season, Flower led the team to a fourth-place finish that year. In 2025, they ended the league stage second behind PBKS on net run-rate, then defeated the same side in Qualifier 1 to book a direct spot in the final. With another win against PBKS in the title match, Flower added another T20 title to his resume, having previously won the Pakistan Super League in 2021 and The Hundred in 2022.

The victory was also a proud moment for England players associated with RCB. Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone both made contributions in the final and were awarded winner’s medals. Youngster Jacob Bethell, although not present for the final due to international duties with England, had played two matches earlier in the season and was also part of the squad’s success story. Livingstone now holds back-to-back IPL titles after winning with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.

As the curtain falls on IPL 2025, the final has not only offered closure to RCB supporters but also captured the attention of the global cricket community. Social media was flooded with posts from fans, cricket analysts, and celebrities praising RCB’s persistence and Kohli’s enduring commitment. Fantasy cricket platforms and fan zones saw record participation, underscoring the tournament’s growing digital engagement.

The victory has broader implications for T20 cricket as a whole. With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, performances from this final are likely to influence international selections. Discussions around match strategy, particularly around death-over batting and bowling depth, have also gained traction among cricket experts.

RCB’s journey from perennial contenders to champions is now complete, and their 2025 campaign will be remembered as a milestone in IPL history. For the team and its supporters, it wasn’t just about lifting the IPL trophy. It was about validation, loyalty, and the reward of resilience. As the focus shifts to upcoming cricket schedules, RCB’s triumph will stand as one of the defining narratives of the season.

This story was originally featured in BBC