RCB’s Road to Glory: How They Finally Clinched the IPL 2025 Title After 18 Years

RCB IPL 2025 champions, After years of heartbreak, near misses, and endless memes, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their 18-year title drought to win the TATA IPL 2025. On June 3, 2025, RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, making it one of the most emotional victories in IPL history.

Led by Rajat Patidar, and fueled by the undying passion of Virat Kohli, RCB’s long-awaited moment became a reality—and with it, the chant “Ee Saala Cup Namdu” finally came true.

RCB IPL 2025 Champions Journey: A Season of Redemption

RCB entered IPL 2025 carrying the legacy of heartbreaks—three-time runners-up (2009, 2011, 2016) but never champions. Under new captain Rajat Patidar and bolstered by Kohli’s emotional leadership, the team found the right formula.

• League Stage Finish: 2nd place
• Points: 19 (9 wins, 4 losses, 1 no result)
• Net Run Rate: +0.255

Their campaign ignited with a record-breaking chase of 228 runs against LSG in Match 70 at Lucknow, where Jitesh Sharma’s unbeaten 85 off 33 balls sealed a dramatic win. That momentum carried straight into the playoffs.

Playoff Dominance: RCB Peaked at the Right Time

Qualifier 1 vs PBKS (May 29, 2025 – Mullanpur)

RCB bowled out PBKS for just 101 runs.

• Josh Hazlewood: 3/18
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 2/15
• Phil Salt: Unbeaten 56 off 27
  RCB chased it down in 10 overs, cruising into the final and asserting dominance.

IPL 2025 Final vs PBKS (June 3, 2025 – Ahmedabad)

RCB posted 190/9, with vital knocks from:

• Virat Kohli: 43 (35)
• Jitesh Sharma: 24 (10)

Despite a late assault by *Shashank Singh (61 off 30)**, PBKS fell short by 6 runs.

• Krunal Pandya: 4-0-17-2 (dismissed Stoinis and Iyer)
• Earned Player of the Match — his second IPL final award (2017 & 2025)

Star Performers Who Led RCB to the Title

Virat Kohli – The Soul of RCB

• Runs: 614
• Average: 55.82
• Strike Rate: 146.53
• Kohli’s consistency at No. 3 and emotional leadership rallied the team through tough phases.

Jitesh Sharma – The Finisher

• Match-winning 85 vs LSG*
• Clutch 24 off 10 in the final
• The surprise package of the season and one of RCB’s smartest acquisitions.

Josh Hazlewood – The Wrecking Ball

• 21 wickets in 11 games
• Big-game player with match-turning spells in both Qualifier 1 and the final.

Krunal Pandya – The X-Factor

• 12 wickets and 180 runs
• Tactical bowling in the final, using variations and control
• History-maker: only player to win Player of the Match in two IPL finals

Phil Salt – The Powerplay Enforcer

• Quick starts that gave RCB the upper hand early
• His 56* in Qualifier 1 was a knockout punch to PBKS

What Made RCB IPL 2025 Champions?

• Balanced Squad: Finally, RCB had firepower in both batting and bowling.
• Smart Auction Strategy: Focus on all-rounders, depth players like Romario Shepherd.
• Leadership:
  • Head Coach: Andy Flower
  • Director of Cricket: Mo Bobat
  • Mentor: Dinesh Karthik
• Emotion-Driven Cricket: The team played for Virat Kohli, and it showed.

“I am very happy for Virat bhai… When you play for someone else, it becomes magical.” – Jitesh Sharma

Bengaluru Erupts in Celebration, RCB IPL 2025 champions

The city of Bengaluru turned into a sea of red and gold after RCB’s win:

• Bike rallies, fireworks, and flags waving across MG Road and Indiranagar
• Local pubs like Long Boat Brewing Co., The Big Tap, and 1522 overflowed with fans
• Merchandise sales hit record highs
• Social media exploded with #EeSaalaCupNamdu, #RCBChampions2025, and #ViratKohli

Screens at Chinnaswamy Stadium streamed the final live to packed crowds, capturing the true spirit of RCB’s loyal fanbase.

What’s Next for RCB?

With the IPL 2026 Mega Auction on the horizon, RCB will aim to:

• Retain core players like Kohli, Hazlewood, Pandya, and Jitesh Sharma
• Build on their newfound bowling strength
• Focus on developing a legacy team

Could this be the start of a dynasty?

Conclusion: Ee Saala Cup Namdu, Finally!

RCB IPL 2025 champions, RCB’s maiden title in IPL 2025 is more than a trophy—it’s a story of persistence, loyalty, and emotional redemption. From smashing records to overcoming pressure in playoffs, this season was a masterclass in resilience.

Virat Kohli said it best:

“I never thought this day would come… I have given each and every ounce of energy to this team.”

What was your favorite RCB moment from IPL 2025? Drop it in the comments and relive the unforgettable season where dreams finally came true!

To watch full highlights of the match, click here.

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