Bengaluru, India – The long wait is finally over for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans! In a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title, ending an 18-year drought. The historic victory came after a sensational performance in the final match against Punjab Kings, where RCB secured a narrow six-run win at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday. This triumph marks a monumental moment for the franchise and its devoted fanbase.
A Gripping Final: RCB’s Bowling Brilliance Seals the Deal
The final, Royal Challenger Bengaluru Crowned IPL Champion a true nail-biter, saw Punjab Kings restrict RCB to 190/9 in 20 overs. This was largely thanks to a fine bowling performance from the Kings, led by Arshdeep Singh (3-40) and Kyle Jamieson (3-38). However, the Rajat Patidar-led RCB side demonstrated incredible resilience. They roared back with a mesmerizing bowling display of their own, successfully limiting Punjab Kings to 184/7 in 20 overs.
The turning point for RCB’s bowling attack was undoubtedly Krunal Pandya, who delivered a match-winning spell, claiming 2-17 in his four overs. While Shashank Singh led a late charge for PBKS with a magnificent unbeaten 61 off 30 balls, his efforts proved to be too little, too late, as the Kings fell agonizingly short by six runs.
This championship marks a significant milestone for RCB, as they finally secured the coveted IPL trophy after an 18-year wait. The victory is particularly sweet as it came under the leadership of first-time captain Rajat Patidar. Adding to the historic nature of the win, Virat Kohli became the first player in IPL history to claim the title after playing for 18 years with a single team, further cementing his legendary status.
Chasing a challenging target of 191 on a slower pitch, Punjab Kings’ innings saw a rollercoaster of emotions. Their troubles began early when Impact Sub Prabhsimran Singh was dismissed, top-edging an easy catch to Bhuvneshwar Kumar off Krunal Pandya. This left PBKS struggling at 72/3.
Much depended on skipper Shreyas Iyer, who had been instrumental in their Eliminator victory against Mumbai Indians with an unbeaten 87. However, Iyer, playing in his second consecutive IPL final with different teams, faltered, edging behind to Jintesh Sharma off Romanio Shepherd for just 1 run. Krunal Pandya’s two wickets, coupled with Shepherd’s crucial dismissal of Iyer and the quick removal of the dangerous Josh Inglis by Pandya, effectively took the wind out of PBKS’s sails, leaving them gasping at 98/4.
Despite a decent start that saw them reach 52/1, PBKS lost key wickets in quick succession. Priyansh Arya was brilliantly caught by Phil Salt off Josh Hazlewood for 24, setting the stage for their middle-order collapse. The onus then fell on Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh to revive the innings. Inglis did his part, keeping the fight alive with a 23-ball 39 studded with boundaries and sixes against the likes of Yash Dayal, Pandya, and Suyash Sharma.
Initially, the tight bowling of Krunal Pandya and leg-spinner Suyash Sharma was seen as crucial for PBKS. However, it was Pandya who truly turned the tide for RCB with his sensational spell of 4-0-17-2, while Shepherd’s dismissal of Iyer proved pivotal. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal also executing their plans effectively, RCB steadily tightened their grip on the match.
Though Shashank Singh provided a glimmer of hope with two sixes off Hazlewood in a 17-run over (16th), Wadhera’s dismissal to Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 15 further dented PBKS’s chances. Marcus Stoinis briefly threatened with a superb six, but Bhuvneshwar had the last laugh, claiming his wicket on the very next ball. With PBKS needing 47 off 18 balls, they slumped to 142/6.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s quick dismissal by Yash Dayal for one left Punjab Kings needing 29 runs off the final six balls, despite Shashank Singh’s valiant efforts with a six and a four off Bhuvneshwar in the penultimate over. Ultimately, the target proved too formidable, and RCB emerged victorious.
Match Summary
Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 190/9 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 43, Rajat Patidar 26, Jitesh Sharma 24; Arshdeep Singh 3-40, Kyle Jamieson 3-48) beat Punjab Kings 184/7 in 20 overs (Josh Inglis 39, Shashank Singh 61 not out; Krunal Pandya 2-17, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-38) by 6 runs.
This historic win for RCB is a testament to their perseverance and the brilliant collective effort of the team, finally bringing the coveted IPL trophy home after 18 years of anticipation.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru Crowned IPL Champion is far more than just a win; it’s the culmination of 18 years of unwavering dedication, passion, and perseverance from the team and its incredible fanbase. This thrilling final against Punjab Kings not only showcased exceptional cricketing talent but also cemented RCB’s place in IPL history. Led by the tactical brilliance of Rajat Patidar and anchored by milestone achievements like Virat Kohli’s enduring commitment, RCB has finally claimed their long-awaited title. This triumph marks a new era for the franchise, igniting renewed hope and celebration for millions of fans across India and around the world, proving that with resilience and a collective spirit, even the longest waits can end in glorious success.