"This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team."
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the first time in their history. They beat Punjab Kings by six runs.
The final took place on June 3, 2025, following the tournament’s temporary suspension due to violent tensions between India and Pakistan.
Going into the match, both teams were seeking their first IPL trophy.
Punjab Kings had one previous final appearance in 2014, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have finished runners-up on three occasions.
Virat Kohli top-scored with 43 as RCB reached 190-9 after being put in to bat.
Kyle Jamieson impressed with 3-48, while Arshdeep Singh took 3-40, including three wickets in the final over.
RCB started with a 43-run opening stand before Priyansh Arya fell for 24.
He was caught on the boundary by Phil Salt off Josh Hazlewood’s bowling.
Josh Inglis hit 39 before being dismissed by Krunal Pandya, who also removed Prabhsimran Singh (26). Krunal finished with figures of 2-17.
Punjab Kings struggled to keep up with the required rate.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar took two wickets in one over to push them further behind.
Despite Shashank Singh’s explosive 61 from 30 balls, Punjab were held to 184-7, falling just short of their 191-run target.
The win left Kohli emotional as he fulfilled his dream of finally winning an IPL title.
After the match, he said: “This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team.
“I’ve given this team my youth, prime and experience. Tried to win it every season, gave it everything I can. Never thought this day would come, was overcome with emotion after we won.
“This win is right up there, I’ve stayed loyal to this team. I had moments otherwise, but I stayed with them and them with me.
“My heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore.”
“This is a high-intensity tournament, I want to win the big tournaments and moments. Tonight, I’ll sleep like a baby.”
Paying tribute to AB de Villiers, who represented the Royal Challengers for a decade, Kohli added:
“What ABD has done for the franchise is tremendous, told him ‘this is as much yours as it is ours’.
“He’s been the POTM most times in the franchise despite being retired for four years. He deserves to be on the podium, lifting the cup.”
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