The IPL 2025 final, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, gave cricket fans exactly what they wanted—drama, close calls, and a long-awaited victory. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Punjab Kings by just 6 runs, clinching their first-ever IPL title after 18 seasons.
Batting first, RCB put up 190/9 with solid contributions from Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, and Jitesh Sharma. Punjab Kings gave it a serious go, led by a gutsy 61 not out from Shashank Singh, but fell just short, ending at 184/7. It was a close finish that had fans on edge till the last over.
Players Who Stepped Up
Krunal Pandya
Named Player of the Match, Krunal’s 2/17 in four overs helped control Punjab’s middle order. He kept things tight when it mattered most and celebrated with a smile that said it all.
Punjab’s Comeback Try
Shashank Singh and Priyansh Arya tried to pull off a comeback for Punjab. Arya’s calm under pressure stood out, but RCB’s bowlers—especially Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hazlewood—kept their nerve.
New Faces Making Noise
This season wasn’t just about the big names.
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi, just 14, smashed a stunning century (101 off 38 balls), becoming the youngest centurion in IPL history.
- Abhishek Sharma scored a blistering 141 off 55 balls, the highest by an Indian in IPL.
There was also a little buzz around IPL betting in India, especially during the playoffs. With so many close games, fans were following every ball—some maybe a bit more than others. It’s a topic that keeps popping up every season, and 2025 was no different.
How RCB Got Here
RCB looked sharp all season. Under captain Rajat Patidar and coach Andy Flower, they finished second in the league and didn’t lose a single away game. After winning Qualifier 1, they waited in the final, where they finally broke their title curse.
Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, had a strong season too. They looked like serious contenders and pushed RCB to the very end in the final.
Moments That Stuck
- Virat Kohli in tears after the win—probably the most shared image of the season. It was a moment fans won’t forget.
- AB de Villiers wrote a heartfelt letter to Kohli and the RCB squad. For long-time RCB fans, that hit home.
- There were also reports of huge celebrations in Bengaluru. Sadly, things got out of hand in some areas, and crowd control became an issue.
Big Numbers & Talking Points
- A player who went unsold at the auction made headlines after smashing 150 off just 49 balls in a local T20 league—a quiet reminder that talent often goes unnoticed.
- Teams like SRH and Rajasthan Royals also put on good shows this season, thanks to a mix of young players and experienced leaders.
What’s Next?
IPL 2025 had a bit of everything—records, tight finishes, emerging stars, and emotional wins. For RCB fans, it was a season to remember. For everyone else, it showed how competitive the league has become.
And as for the future? With young talent rising and big teams pushing harder than ever, IPL 2026 already looks exciting. Just one thing’s for sure—don’t count anyone out.
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