Royal Challengers Bengaluru wins IPL title after 18 years

From being a three-time runner-up, RCB finally scaled the peak to lay claim on the IPL trophy.

Seventeen editions of yearning and heartbreak turned into unadulterated joy for the massive fanbase as RCB shut out Punjab Kings by six runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Tuesday (June 3, 2025).

Virat Kohli, the owner of a dazzling array of titles and milestones, added the one highlight missing in the list.

Rajat Patidar, in his first season as RCB captain, achieved what many of his exalted predecessors — Kohli, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, to name a few — could not attain.

In front of a packed house, filled predominantly by RCB supporters, the franchise choked a nervy PBKS.

Photo:
ATUL YADAV

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli holds the championship trophy as captain Rajat Patidar and others celebrate during the presentation ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Photo:
PTI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Krunal Pandya holds the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 championship trophy during the team’s victory lap at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Photo:
AFP

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli (L) celebrates with his former teammate AB de Villiers after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, 2025.

Photo:
AFP

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli (centre L) celebrates along with his wife and actress Anushka Sharma (centre R) after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025.

Photo:
VIJAY SONEJI

Royal Challengers Bangaluru Captain Rajat Patidar lifts the Trophy as they beat Punjab Kings by 6 runs during The TATA IPL 2025 Cricket Match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangaluru at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, May 03, 2025.

Photo:
AFP

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli (C), along with his former teammates AB de Villiers (centre R) and Chris Gayle (centre L), celebrates with the trophy after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025.