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Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings have produced several memorable IPL contests, but their IPL 2025 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad stands among the most historic. The match not only crowned a new IPL champion but also ended Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s long wait for the coveted trophy after years of near misses. Played before a packed stadium and millions watching worldwide, the final delivered pressure, drama, tactical battles, and outstanding individual performances. This complete Royal Challengers Bengaluru Vs Punjab Kings Match Scorecard covers every major moment, detailed batting and bowling figures, match analysis, partnerships, statistics, and explains how Bengaluru finally achieved IPL glory.
Match Overview
The IPL 2025 Final featured two franchises chasing history. Royal Challengers Bengaluru were seeking their first IPL title after three previous final defeats, while Punjab Kings hoped to lift the trophy for the first time as well.
| Match | IPL 2025 Final |
|---|---|
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Date | June 3, 2025 |
| Toss | Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to field |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 190/9 (20 Overs) |
| Punjab Kings | 184/7 (20 Overs) |
| Result | Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 6 runs |
| Player of the Match | Krunal Pandya |
| Champions | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
The match summary reflects how closely contested the final remained from start to finish. Punjab Kings believed chasing under lights would offer an advantage after winning the toss. However, Bengaluru posted a competitive total despite regular wickets. During the chase, disciplined bowling, especially from Krunal Pandya, shifted momentum decisively. The six-run victory demonstrated the value of defending every run in a high-pressure final, making it one of the most memorable championship matches in IPL history.
Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted 190 for 9 after useful contributions from Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, and Liam Livingstone. Although wickets fell at regular intervals, Bengaluru consistently maintained a healthy scoring rate.
Punjab Kings began their chase positively but struggled to accelerate during the middle overs. Krunal Pandya’s economical spell created immense pressure, forcing Punjab’s middle order into risky shots. Despite a determined late effort from Shashank Singh, Bengaluru held their nerve to seal a historic six-run victory.
Toss and Team Decisions
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer elected to bowl first after winning the toss. The decision was influenced by the expectation of dew making batting easier during the second innings.
Initially, the strategy appeared successful as Punjab removed early wickets. However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru rebuilt through measured partnerships and aggressive finishing. By reaching 190, Bengaluru ensured Punjab would need a near-perfect chase.
Looking back, the toss decision itself was not incorrect, but Bengaluru’s disciplined bowling ensured that the anticipated chasing advantage never truly materialized.
Innings-by-Innings Analysis
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings
Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a composed half-century, carefully balancing caution with timely boundaries. While Punjab bowlers regularly picked up wickets, Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma injected momentum through aggressive stroke play.
The final five overs proved especially valuable as Livingstone and the lower order added crucial runs. Those additional boundaries ultimately became the difference between victory and defeat.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 43 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
| Phil Salt | 16 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| Mayank Agarwal | 24 | 18 | 2 | 1 |
| Rajat Patidar | 26 | 16 | 1 | 2 |
| Liam Livingstone | 25 | 15 | 2 | 2 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 24 | 10 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 190/9 | 20 Overs |
Although no batter scored a century, Bengaluru benefited from several meaningful contributions. Kohli’s calm innings laid the platform, while Patidar, Livingstone, and Jitesh ensured the scoring rate remained above nine runs per over. The depth of contributions across the batting lineup prevented Punjab from gaining complete control despite frequent breakthroughs.
Punjab Kings Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 40 | 3 |
| Kyle Jamieson | 4 | 48 | 3 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 4 | 35 | 2 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 4 | 32 | 1 |
| Vijaykumar Vyshak | 4 | 35 | 0 |
Punjab’s fast bowlers shared most wickets, preventing any massive partnership from developing. However, their inability to contain scoring during the death overs allowed Bengaluru to approach the 190-run mark. While Arshdeep and Jamieson impressed with three wickets each, the expensive final overs proved costly.
Punjab Kings Innings
Punjab’s chase began with positive intent as the openers attacked the new ball. However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru responded with disciplined lengths and smart field placements.
Krunal Pandya slowed the scoring dramatically during the middle overs. His spell forced Punjab’s batters into mistakes while increasing the required run rate. Although Shashank Singh produced a brilliant late assault, the target remained just beyond Punjab’s reach.
Punjab Kings Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priyansh Arya | 24 | 19 | 4 | 0 |
| Prabhsimran Singh | 26 | 22 | 2 | 2 |
| Josh Inglis | 39 | 23 | 1 | 4 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nehal Wadhera | 15 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Shashank Singh | 61* | 30 | 3 | 6 |
| Total | 184/7 | 20 Overs |
Punjab received starts from several batters but lacked one substantial partnership during the middle overs. Josh Inglis accelerated effectively before his dismissal changed the momentum. Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 nearly produced a miraculous finish, yet the required rate became too steep following Bengaluru’s disciplined bowling in overs 8 to 17.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krunal Pandya | 4 | 17 | 2 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 4 | 38 | 2 |
| Yash Dayal | 4 | 37 | 1 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 54 | 1 |
| Romario Shepherd | 4 | 38 | 1 |
Krunal Pandya delivered arguably the spell of the tournament. Conceding only 17 runs in four overs on a batting-friendly surface transformed the match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also removed key batters at critical moments, ensuring Punjab never fully recovered after losing momentum in the middle overs.
Important Partnerships
| Partnership | Runs | Players |
|---|---|---|
| RCB 2nd Wicket | 38 | Kohli & Mayank Agarwal |
| RCB 4th Wicket | 40 | Patidar & Livingstone |
| PBKS Opening | 43 | Arya & Prabhsimran |
| PBKS 3rd Wicket | 47 | Inglis & Wadhera |
| PBKS Late Stand | 34 | Shashank & Lower Order |
Every important partnership influenced the flow of the contest. Bengaluru’s middle-order stand ensured they maintained scoring momentum after early wickets. Punjab also built useful stands, but each partnership ended just when acceleration was required. The inability to convert promising starts into match-defining stands ultimately hurt Punjab’s chances.
Top Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Match | Krunal Pandya | 2/17 |
| Highest RCB Scorer | Virat Kohli | 43 |
| Highest PBKS Scorer | Shashank Singh | 61* |
| Best Bowling PBKS | Arshdeep Singh | 3 wickets |
| Best Bowling RCB | Krunal Pandya | 2 wickets |
| Most Valuable Partnership | Patidar & Livingstone | 40 runs |
These performances underline the importance of contributions beyond headline centuries or five-wicket hauls. Kohli’s composed innings anchored Bengaluru’s total, while Krunal’s exceptional bowling created sustained pressure. Shashank Singh’s fearless unbeaten innings nearly altered history, demonstrating remarkable composure under immense pressure.
How The Match Was Won
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won because they consistently controlled the game’s crucial phases.
First, they recovered well after losing wickets during the powerplay. Instead of collapsing, multiple middle-order batters contributed valuable runs, ensuring a challenging total.
Second, Bengaluru’s bowling strategy focused on varying pace rather than relying solely on speed. Krunal Pandya’s slower deliveries and accurate lengths forced Punjab to abandon their original chase plan.
Third, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal executed yorkers effectively in the closing overs, preventing Punjab from finding regular boundaries.
Finally, Bengaluru remained calm under pressure. Even when Shashank Singh threatened to steal the match, the bowlers trusted their plans and avoided unnecessary errors.
Key Moments That Changed The Game
- Virat Kohli’s controlled innings
Kohli stabilized Bengaluru after early wickets and ensured the innings never lost direction. - Patidar-Livingstone partnership
Their aggressive stand lifted the scoring rate during the middle overs. - Death-over hitting
Jitesh Sharma’s quick boundaries added priceless runs beyond 180. - Krunal Pandya’s spell
His four overs changed the entire chase by slowing Punjab’s momentum. - Josh Inglis’ dismissal
Punjab lost their best attacking batter at a crucial stage. - Disciplined final over
Bengaluru defended the remaining runs with exceptional composure despite Shashank Singh’s late assault.
Key Statistics From The Match
| Statistic | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Punjab Kings |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 190 | 184 |
| Boundaries | 19 | 18 |
| Sixes | 11 | 12 |
| Wickets Lost | 9 | 7 |
| Powerplay Score | 55/2 | 52/1 |
| Highest Partnership | 40 | 47 |
The statistics show just how evenly matched both teams were. Punjab actually struck more sixes and lost fewer wickets, yet Bengaluru’s ability to restrict scoring during the middle overs proved decisive. Cricket matches are often won not only through explosive batting but also through controlling the tempo, something Bengaluru executed brilliantly.
Final Result and Significance
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by six runs to win the IPL 2025 Final and secure the franchise’s first-ever IPL championship.
The victory ended years of disappointment for one of the league’s most popular franchises. After reaching multiple finals without success, Bengaluru finally converted their opportunity into silverware.
For Punjab Kings, the defeat was heartbreaking after an outstanding season, but their journey demonstrated the team’s remarkable growth and competitiveness under new leadership.
For Royal Challengers Bengaluru supporters, this triumph represented more than a championship—it symbolized perseverance, belief, and the reward for nearly two decades of unwavering support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL 2025 Final?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by six runs to become IPL champions for the first time. After scoring 190 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs, Bengaluru successfully defended the total by restricting Punjab Kings to 184 for 7. The victory ended the franchise’s long wait for an IPL title and marked one of the most emotional moments in the team’s history. The disciplined bowling performance, particularly during the middle overs, played a decisive role in the successful defense.
Who was named Player of the Match in the IPL 2025 Final?
Krunal Pandya received the Player of the Match award for his outstanding bowling performance. Bowling four economical overs, he conceded just 17 runs while taking two crucial wickets. More importantly, he slowed Punjab Kings’ scoring rate during the middle overs, creating scoreboard pressure that ultimately proved decisive. His intelligent variations, accurate line and length, and calmness under pressure demonstrated why experienced all-rounders are invaluable in high-pressure knockout matches.
What was Virat Kohli’s contribution in the final?
Virat Kohli scored 43 valuable runs from 35 deliveries and provided stability after Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost early wickets. Although the innings was not his fastest, it allowed aggressive batters around him to play freely. Kohli rotated the strike efficiently, punished loose deliveries, and ensured Bengaluru maintained a competitive platform throughout the innings. His experience and composure under pressure helped the team build a total that eventually proved sufficient for victory.
Why did Punjab Kings fail to chase 191 runs?
Punjab Kings struggled mainly because they lost momentum during the middle overs. Krunal Pandya’s economical spell dramatically increased the required run rate, forcing Punjab’s batters to take greater risks later in the innings. Although several players made useful starts and Shashank Singh played a brilliant unbeaten knock, the team lacked a long, match-defining partnership after the powerplay. As a result, too much responsibility fell on the lower order during the closing overs.
Which partnerships proved most important in the match?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru benefited from valuable middle-order partnerships involving Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Liam Livingstone, ensuring regular momentum despite losing wickets. Punjab Kings also built promising stands through Josh Inglis and Nehal Wadhera, but every partnership ended before either batter could completely dominate the chase. Those interrupted partnerships prevented Punjab from maintaining the required scoring rate, making Bengaluru’s bowling effort even more effective during the decisive middle overs.
Why is this final considered historic in IPL history?
The IPL 2025 Final is remembered because it delivered Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL championship after years of heartbreak. The franchise had reached several finals previously but had never lifted the trophy. Winning such a closely contested match against Punjab Kings made the achievement even more memorable. The victory also highlighted teamwork over individual brilliance, as multiple players contributed with bat and ball rather than relying on a single match-winning performance, making it a landmark moment for the franchise and its supporter