Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made history by securing their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title, triumphing over Punjab Kings by a narrow six-run margin in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The team, which had previously been runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016, finally claimed the prestigious trophy with the help of Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and a remarkable bowling performance from Krunal Pandya, who took 2 wickets for just 17 runs.
Tears of joy filled the eyes of Virat Kohli, a dedicated player for RCB since the tournament’s inception in 2008, as he celebrated the momentous victory. “This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It has been 18 long years,” Kohli expressed, reflecting on his commitment to the franchise. Overwhelmed with emotion, he admitted he never expected this day to arrive.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Kohli remained anchored in his passion for Test cricket, stating, “This moment is right up there with the best moments in my career. But it still ranks five levels below Test cricket”. His comments serve as a reminder to cricketers worldwide about the value of respect and legacy in the sport.
In the final, Kohli emerged as RCB’s top scorer, contributing 43 runs from 35 balls, guiding the team to a total of 190 runs. Punjab bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson shared six wickets between them and hampered Bengaluru’s scoring efforts. In response, Punjab began their chase positively, but faltered midway through the innings despite a valiant half-century from Shashank Singh, who scored 61 not out.
RCB’s innings started with a setback as they lost Phil Salt early on. Kohli struggled at times, managing only three boundaries, yet he played crucial partnerships with Mayank Agarwal and captain Rajat Patidar, both of whom provided essential support. Azmatullah Omarzai played a pivotal role in breaking the momentum by dismissing Kohli.
Entering the middle overs, RCB appeared to rally, with Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone providing a late flourish to boost the total. However, Punjab could not maintain the required run rate as the RCB bowlers exerted pressure, ultimately concluding Punjab’s innings at 184 runs.
This victory not only marks a significant achievement for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru but also reinforces the team’s resilience and determination after nearly two decades of striving for IPL glory. The celebrations were a culmination of hard work, commitment, and the unwavering support from their fans, solidifying RCB’s place in IPL history.