Virat Kohli’s Wait Ends as RCB Triumph in IPL 2025 Final

A Historic Night in Ahmedabad

On June 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a thrilling final. This victory ended an 18-year wait for RCB and marked a significant milestone in Virat Kohli's illustrious career.

Batting first, RCB posted a total of 190/9 in their 20 overs. Virat Kohli led the charge with a composed 43 off 35 balls, supported by Rajat Patidar's 26 and Jitesh Sharma's quickfire 24. Despite a late surge from PBKS, with Shashank Singh scoring an unbeaten 61 off 30 balls, RCB's bowlers held their nerve. Krunal Pandya's economical spell of 2/17 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 2/38 were instrumental in restricting PBKS to 184/7.

Virat Kohli: The Journey to Glory

Virat Kohli's association with RCB began in 2008, and over the years, he became the face of the franchise. Despite individual brilliance, team success in the form of an IPL title had eluded him. The 2025 season saw Kohli in sublime form, amassing 657 runs in 15 innings, making him the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament. 

After the final, an emotional Kohli dedicated the victory to former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, acknowledging their contributions to the franchise. "This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team," he said. "It's been 18 long years. I've given this team my youth, my prime, my experience. Every single season, I've walked out with a heart full of hope and a mind obsessed with victory. To finally have this moment… it's beyond belief."

Celebrations and Accolades

RCB's victory sparked celebrations across Bengaluru and beyond. Fans flooded the streets, chanting "Ee Sala Cup Namdu," a slogan that had become synonymous with the team's quest for the title. 

Krunal Pandya was named Player of the Match for his crucial bowling performance. This marked his second Player of the Match award in an IPL final, the first being in 2017 with Mumbai Indians.

RCB's captain, Rajat Patidar, praised the team's performance, especially highlighting Kohli's contribution. "Virat Kohli deserves it more than anyone else," he remarked.

The team's triumph was further celebrated with a victory parade in Bengaluru, attended by thousands of fans and dignitaries. The win not only ended RCB's title drought but also solidified Kohli's legacy as one of the game's greats.