RCB Bags ₹20 Crore as IPL 2025 Champions
Bengaluru ends 18-year wait with dramatic victory over Punjab Kings; record prize money, redemption, and legacy come together in iconic final
After 18 seasons of heartache, near misses, and endless memes, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally completed their long journey to Indian Premier League (IPL) glory. In a thrilling final played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, RCB edged past Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs, scripting one of the most emotionally charged moments in IPL history.
What made this victory even sweeter for RCB fans was the scale of recognition: a ₹20 crore prize for the winners — the highest in the league’s history. PBKS, despite their valiant chase, settled for ₹12.5 crore as runners-up.
Highlights from the IPL 2025 Final:
Match Result: RCB beat PBKS by 6 runs
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
RCB Total: 190/9 in 20 overs
PBKS Total: 184/7 in 20 overs
Winning Captain: Rajat Patidar (stand-in captain for RCB)
Man of the Match: Krunal Pandya (RCB) for his clutch bowling performance (2/17 in 4 overs)
A Victory Etched in Emotion
RCB, long considered the most popular franchise never to win the IPL, finally broke the curse. This wasn’t just a victory — it was a redemption arc completed. For veteran superstar Virat Kohli, who has been with the franchise since its inaugural season in 2008, the win felt deeply personal.
“This trophy is for every RCB fan who stood by us. I’ve waited 18 years for this. It’s not just cricket — it’s a piece of my heart,” said an emotional Kohli during the post-match ceremony.
Though Kohli didn’t post a big score in the final, his leadership, energy, and presence throughout the season had been central to RCB’s charge to the top.
Key Performances in the Final
RCB Batting:
Virat Kohli: 43 (35)
Jitesh Sharma: 24 (18)
Romario Shepherd: 17* (9)
PBKS Bowling:
Arshdeep Singh: 3/32
Kyle Jamieson: 3/38
PBKS Batting:
Shashank Singh: 61* (35)
Shreyas Iyer: 37 (29)
RCB Bowling
Krunal Pandya: 2/17 (4)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 2/38 (4)
Shashank Singh nearly pulled off a stunning win for Punjab with his fearless hitting in the final overs, but RCB held their nerve in the death — a scenario where they had historically faltered.
Prize Money Breakdown
Champions (RCB): ₹20 crore
Runners-up (PBKS): ₹12.5 crore
Fair Play Award: Chennai Super Kings
Most Valuable Player: Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)
Orange Cap (Most Runs): Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat Titans) – 759 runs
Purple Cap (Most Wickets): Prasidh Krishna (Gujarat Titans) – 25 wickets
A Final That Delivered Everything
From roaring crowds to edge-of-the-seat drama, IPL 2025 ended with the kind of finale that cricket folklore is built on. For RCB, the title is more than a trophy — it’s validation of years of effort, emotion, and faith.
RCB’s journey from being perennial underachievers to champions will be remembered as one of the IPL’s greatest stories. As the fireworks lit up the Ahmedabad sky, one thing became clear: Royal Challengers Bengaluru had finally arrived — and the wait was worth every second.
