Home
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted their first-ever IPL title by defeating the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final by six runs at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. It was an incredible moment for both the players and fans as the side finally ended the 18-year long wait to become champions.
Virat Kohli, who has featured for the Bengaluru-based franchise since the inaugural season of IPL, couldn't control his emotions and tears started to flow in following RCB's emphatic victory. The other members of the team quickly ran towards Kohli and embraced him in a heartfelt group hug.
Kohli's knock in the final came under a lot of criticism
Though lifting the IPL title with RCB was quite a big moment for Kohli, his batting performance in the final drew significent criticism. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan was left 'disappointed' with the 36-year-old's inning of 43 runs from 35 deliveries.against PBKS. He also criticized Kohli for maintaining a strike-rate of just 123 in a final.
"They kept bowling short and slow balls to Virat Kohli. Strike rate of 123 after 35 balls on this pitch is disappointing," Irfan wrote on X.
Kohli was dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai in the 15th over, leaving RCB on 131/4. The batter departed back to the pavilion for the final time in the 2025 season. Ovedrall, he was once again the side's top run-getter during the campaign. He finished as the third-highest run-getter in the league with 657 runs in 15 matches. He also maintained a brilliant strike-rate of 144.71 and a blistering average of 54.75.
Following RCB's victory in the final, an emotional Kohli stated that he has tried to win the tournament every season with the franchise, but due to the consistent failures, thought that the day would never come where he would lift the IPL trophy.
"This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It's been 18 long years. I've given this team my youth, prime and experience. I've tried to win it every season, gave it everything I have. To finally have it is an unbelievable feeling. Never thought this day would come, I was overcome with emotion after the last ball was bowled. Gave each and every ounce of my energy and it's an amazing feeling," Kohli said during the post-match presentation.
With the victory, the Bengaluru-based franchise became the eighth team to win the IPL title. Though it may have come after a massive number of years, this memorable triumph will never be forgotten by any RCB fan.
ADVERTISEMENT
