Punjab Kings openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya made their way together one last time this season as Bhuvneshwar Kumar opened the bowling for RCB. It was a four to start the chase, and it became a 13-run over as PBKS got off to a strong start.
Priyansh Falls After Bright Start as RCB Hit Back
PBKS openers looked solid in the first two overs before Josh Hazlewood applied the brakes. However, Priyansh Arya managed a few boundaries off Hazlewood’s second over inside the powerplay. But a greedy attempt for a six and an outstanding catch from Phil Salt, running in from fine leg, resulted in a blinder to dismiss Priyansh Arya for 24(19). He departed after giving a decent start to the chase.
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Josh Inglis was the next batter to come in, and he was in the mood as he struck a few sixes in the powerplay. PBKS finished the powerplay at 52/1.
Krunal Pandya Steps Up When It Matters Most
Rajat Patidar turned to his spinners as Krunal Pandya started with a tight over to kick off the middle phase. But Suyash Sharma couldn’t maintain the pressure, leaking 15 runs in his over. Krunal Pandya responded in his second over by dismissing Prabhsimran Singh, who had just started to accelerate. He departed for 26(22), and PBKS were 74/2 at the end of 9 overs, heading into the time-out.
Romario Shepherd was brought into the attack with Shreyas Iyer now at the crease. Surprisingly, the PBKS captain was dismissed quickly a short-of-length ball took a thin outside edge and was well caught by Jitesh Sharma. Shreyas Iyer walked back for 1(2), marking a major turning point in the chase.
Josh Inglis continued attacking the bowlers, keeping PBKS in the game with a few big hits. But Krunal Pandya once again delivered at the right time, trapping Inglis LBW. He was dismissed for 39 runs off 23 balls, and the game started slipping away from Punjab Kings with two new batters, Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera, at the crease.
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It became a steep chase as PBKS needed 89 runs off the last 36 balls. Shashank Singh launched a fightback from one end, but wickets kept falling at the other. At one point, it was evident the match was in RCB’s control. In Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s final over, he picked up two crucial wickets, Marcus Stoinis and Nehal Wadhera, crushing the hopes of PBKS fans.
Kohli in Tears, RCB Crowned IPL 2025 Champions
With 29 runs required off the final over, Josh Hazlewood began with two dot balls, and that was enough. The Ahmedabad crowd erupted, and Virat Kohli was seen in tears. Shashank Singh did manage to hit three sixes and a four in the final over, but it wasn’t enough. Royal Challengers Bengaluru were crowned the new Champions of the Indian Premier League 2025.
A dream that lived on for 18 years was finally fulfilled in the world’s biggest stadium, under the eyes of 95,000+ fans, who witnessed this iconic moment, RCB lifting their maiden IPL trophy.
