IPL 2025 Final: 7 Factors How RCB Triumphed Over Punjab Kings In Grand Finale To Lift Maiden Title

Ahmedabad, June 4: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended their 18-year wait for IPL glory by clinching the 2025 Indian Premier League title with a thrilling 6-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday (June 3).

While the match ebbed and flowed with momentum swings, RCB held their nerve in the high-stakes contest to emerge victorious. Virat Kohli's dream of lifting the elusive silverware in the year of his Test retirement and under a new captain Rajat Patidar only makes the victory special for RCB and their countless fans across the globe. Here's a breakdown of the key factors behind RCB's maiden IPL trophy win:

1. Phil Salt's Flying Start and Jitesh Sharma's Late Onslaught

RCB's batting innings had its stutters, but the beginning and end stood out. While opener Phil Salt failed to last long at the crease as he was dismissed for just 16 off 9 balls. However, the English wicketkeeper batter's aggressive start in the first over, where he took on Punjab's premier pacer Arshdeep Singh, gave RCB early momentum despite his early dismissal.

Later, wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma's game-changing 24 off just 10 deliveries, including three towering sixes in the 17th over, in the death overs turned a middling score into a competitive total for RCB on a surface where batting wasn't as easy as it seemed. The vice-captain's fearless hitting helped RCB add 36 runs in overs 16 to 17, just when they needed a boost.

2. IPL 2025: King Kohli's Anchor Role and Mid-Innings Stability

While Virat Kohli, the leading run-scorer for RCB in this edition with 657 runs in 15 games, didn't light up the final with fireworks, his 43 off 35 balls proved crucial in stabilising the innings during a tense middle phase. On a surface where stroke-making wasn't easy, Kohli ensured RCB had a foundation to build on. His composed knock soaked up the pressure, allowing others like Jitesh and Liam Livingstone to play with freedom later on. This Kohli knock reminded many of his half-century in last year's T20 World Cup Final for Team India against South Africa, which the Men in Blue won.

3. Josh Hazlewood's Powerplay Impact and Death Overs Calm

Josh Hazlewood, the senior bowler from Australia, finished the season with 22 wickets under his belt. The right-arm quick - who was purchased by the franchise for a whopping Rs 12.50 crore - once again delivered in the clutch game. He might have leaked 54 runs in the game and picked up just one wicket in the final, but it was the crucial wicket of dangerous Priyansh Arya with a peach in the powerplay. His accuracy and calm demeanour throughout the season were invaluable in a high-pressure final.

4. Krunal Pandya - The Game-Changer in the Middle Overs

Krunal Pandya delivered a match-winning spell that decisively turned the tide in RCB's favour during the IPL 2025 final. Introduced during a critical middle-over phase, the experienced left-arm spinner-who has previously starred in finals for Mumbai Indians-once again rose to the occasion on the big stage. Krunal broke Punjab Kings' momentum by dismissing the well-set Prabhsimran Singh with a peach of a delivery, sending the opener back for 26 off 22 balls.

The Baroda all-rounder later returned to remove the dangerous Josh Inglis, who was threatening to take the game away with a blistering 39 off 23. Finishing with exceptional figures of 2/17 in four overs, Krunal not only throttled the scoring rate but also triggered a collapse that Punjab never recovered from. For his match-defining spell, he was deservedly named the Player of the Match.

5. Bhuvneshwar Kumar - The Silent Assassin Seals the Deal

Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought all his experience to the fore in the IPL 2025 final, delivering a decisive blow that shattered Punjab Kings' chase. On a pitch offering just enough assistance for the bowlers, Bhuvneshwar struck twice in the same over to swing the momentum firmly in RCB's favour. First, he removed Nehal Wadhera-who was beginning to settle - for 15 off 18, and then dismissed Marcus Stoinis just two balls later for a mere 6, extinguishing any hopes of a late PBKS resurgence.

Bought for ₹10.25 crore in the auction, the senior Uttar Pradesh pacer repaid the faith with a composed performance under pressure, finishing with figures of 2/38 from his four overs in the final. His clinical spell in the powerplay and death overs capped off a stellar season and played a crucial role in delivering RCB their maiden IPL title.

6. RCB's Electric Fielding: The Salt Special

Fielding often makes the difference in tight finals, and Phil Salt's gravity-defying boundary catch to dismiss Priyansh Arya was arguably the turning point. His awareness and athleticism not only removed a well-set batter but also lifted the entire RCB unit. The effort sparked belief and shifted momentum back towards Bengaluru at a critical juncture.

7. Crowd Energy and Emotional Resilience

Though not on the scoresheet, the vociferous Ahmedabad crowd - overwhelmingly in RCB's favour - played a silent yet powerful role. The chants of "RCB...RCB!" echoed louder at the venue - which is the home ground of Gujarat Titans - as the game entered crunch moments, giving the players an emotional surge. For a team long burdened by the 'underdelivered promise' tag, RCB's ability to overcome the pressure and handle the final with composure showed their evolution under coach Andy Flower and captain Rajat Patidar.

RCB's IPL 2025 win was not just about individual brilliance but a culmination of smart tactics, balanced contributions, and belief. After 17 years of heartbreak, the red and gold brigade finally danced with destiny - and this time, they didn't let it slip.