After 18 seasons of waiting, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have finally done it—they are the IPL champions. In a dramatic final, they edged past Punjab Kings by 6 runs in Ahmedabad on Tuesday to lift the trophy for the very first time. For Punjab, it was yet another heartbreak in a tournament that continues to elude them.
RCB’s batting lineup showed promise, with five of their top six scoring over 20 runs. However, none managed to reach a half-century. Their total of 190 looked underwhelming—commentator Matthew Hayden remarked, “They’re 30 runs short.” But Bengaluru’s bowlers turned the game around with a clinical performance, defending the score with precision and intensity.
With the win, RCB ended an 18-year title drought and gave their legendary batter Virat Kohli the one trophy that had long escaped him. The only player to have represented a single franchise since the IPL’s inception, Kohli finally tasted title glory. After the final ball, he sank to his knees, head bowed. Moments later, he was surrounded by jubilant teammates—and warmly embraced by his close friend and former teammate AB de Villiers, who came down to the pitch to celebrate.
Just a day earlier at the same venue, Punjab Kings had chased down 204 against Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier. So when Bengaluru posted 190 in the final, many doubted whether it would be enough. Pundits debated whether they were “20-25 runs short.” The pitch looked great for batting.
But under the weight of final-match pressure, Punjab seemed to crumble. Despite a late surge from Shashank Singh—who hit three sixes and a four in the final four deliveries—they fell short at 184. Another chance at glory slipped away.
Punjab had also been bowled out for just 101 in the first qualifier against the same opponents. The disappointment of back-to-back defeats means their wait for a first IPL title continues.
Bengaluru’s innings didn’t feature a single fifty or any fifty-plus partnerships. Kohli top-scored with 43 off 35 balls, including just three boundaries.
RCB’s bowlers rose to the occasion, with all-rounder Krunal Pandya leading the way. The 34-year-old left-arm spinner delivered a masterclass, conceding just 17 runs and taking two crucial wickets in his 4-over spell.
Over the years, RCB have had legendary names at the helm—Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Kevin Pietersen, Shane Watson, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis. Yet it was Rajat Patidar, a relatively unknown figure in Indian cricket, who guided them to the promised land as captain in his very first season in charge.
Match Summary
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 190/9 in 20 overs
(Kohli 43, Patidar 26, Salt 16; Arshdeep 3/40, Jamieson 3/48) - Punjab Kings: 184/7 in 20 overs
(Shashank 61*, Inglis 39, Prabhsimran 26; Krunal 2/17, Bhuvneshwar 2/38)
Result: RCB won by 6 runs and became IPL champions.
