Ahmedabad, June 3, 2025 – Punjab Kings (PBKS) won their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 5 wickets in the IPL 2025 final at Narendra Modi Stadium. The match, played on June 3, 2025, was a nail-biter. PBKS chased 191 runs with 3 balls to spare. Fans across India celebrated as PBKS ended their 18-year wait for the trophy.
Match Summary
RCB batted first after PBKS won the toss and chose to bowl. RCB posted 190/9 in 20 overs. Virat Kohli scored 43 off 35 balls, and Rajat Patidar made 26. PBKS bowlers struck regularly. Kyle Jamieson took 2 wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Kohli with a stunning caught-and-bowled. Yuzvendra Chahal removed Mayank Agarwal early. Vijaykumar Vyshak also chipped in with a wicket.
PBKS chased 191, finishing at 194/5 in 19.3 overs. Shreyas Iyer led with an unbeaten 87 off 41 balls, hitting 8 sixes. Nehal Wadhera supported with a steady 32. RCB’s Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2 wickets each, but PBKS held their nerve. Marcus Stoinis hit the winning runs, sparking wild celebrations.
Key Moments
- RCB’s Powerplay: RCB started well, reaching 55/1 in 6 overs. Phil Salt smashed 16 off 9 before Shreyas Iyer caught him at mid-off.
- Kohli’s Dismissal: Azmatullah Omarzai’s brilliant running catch ended Kohli’s 43-run knock. RCB were 132/4 after 15 overs.
- Chahal’s Impact: Yuzvendra Chahal struck in his first over, dismissing Mayank Agarwal. RCB slipped to 69/2 after 8 overs.
- Iyer’s Heroics: Shreyas Iyer’s aggressive 87* powered PBKS. His 26-run penultimate over off Ashwani Kumar sealed the chase.
- Late Drama: Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone fell quickly, leaving RCB at 106/5. PBKS bowlers kept the pressure on.
Teams and Line-ups
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood. Impact Subs: Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh.
Punjab Kings
Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal. Impact Subs: Prabhsimran Singh, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlett, Pravid Dubey.
Pitch and Conditions
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch favored batsmen. The average first-innings score this season was 219. Teams batting first won 6 of 7 games here. Despite rain concerns, the match was uninterrupted. Clear skies allowed a full 40-over contest.
Captains’ Take
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer was confident at the toss. “It’s a final, and we’re going to play it like a final,” he said. He chose to bowl, citing the hard surface. RCB captain Rajat Patidar admitted both teams wanted to chase. He praised his team’s effort despite the loss.
Why This Matters
RCB and PBKS, part of the IPL’s “Holy Trinity” with Delhi Capitals, had never won the title since 2008. PBKS became the eighth team to lift the IPL trophy. RCB’s wait continues despite their fourth final appearance. The match showcased intense rivalry and high stakes.
Fan Reactions
RCB fans showed incredible support. Some wore jerseys at weddings and prayed in temples. Social media buzzed with hope for Virat Kohli. PBKS fans hailed Shreyas Iyer as “Captain Fantastic.” Posts on X captured the electric atmosphere.
Where to Watch
The match was broadcast live on Star Sports Network. Fans streamed it on JioHotstar. The closing ceremony honored the Indian armed forces, attended by top military officials.
What’s Next
PBKS celebrate their historic win. Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and aggressive batting earned praise. RCB, despite the loss, showed resilience. Fans look forward to IPL 2026, hoping RCB can finally claim the title. For now, PBKS are the champions of IPL 2025.