Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their long-standing title drought in emphatic style, clinching their maiden IPL trophy with a nerve-wracking six-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2025 final at Ahmedabad. The post-match scenes were emotional and celebratory, with players speaking candidly about the journey, the pressure, and the significance of the win — especially for Virat Kohli, who had waited 18 seasons for this moment.
Rajat Patidar described the victory as “special for Virat Kohli and all the fans who have supported us for years”, calling it a collective reward for years of belief and heartbreak. He credited the bowlers — particularly Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd — for executing under pressure and spoke of the deep learning from captaining Kohli during the season.
Krunal Pandya, named Player of the Match, highlighted the importance of reading the surface and backing his instincts. He explained how varying pace on a slow pitch created opportunities and expressed pride in fulfilling his promise of winning trophies for the franchise. With this win, Pandya now has four IPL titles, further adding to the Pandya family legacy.
Phil Salt, visibly emotional, paid tribute to the RCB fanbase and legends like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, who were present for the final. He emphasized the power of the fans, saying, “You have won more games than you think this IPL for us.”
Jitesh Sharma was nearly speechless, focusing on what the moment meant for Kohli: “When a man waits for a trophy for 18 years, how he feels…” He echoed the sentiment that playing for others often brings out extraordinary performances.
Josh Hazlewood called the 190-run total a “very good score” and acknowledged the emotional significance for Kohli, praising his resilience across 18 seasons. He also spoke of the benefit of returning for the playoffs just before the WTC final, gaining high-pressure match experience.
Dinesh Karthik, part of the RCB setup in a dual role, called the win a tribute to long-time contributors: “It belongs to every fan. Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle… all tried their hearts out.” He credited coach Andy Flower and performance director Mo Bobat for building a team that was mentally and tactically ready for the big moments.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, key with the ball, explained how RCB had targeted a score of 180 but managed 190, giving themselves breathing room. He singled out Krunal’s middle-over spell as game-changing and praised the bowling group’s tactical execution under pressure.
Mayank Agarwal, who joined the squad as a mid-season replacement, reflected on his unexpected journey to becoming a champion, summing it up by saying: “Life is very unpredictable... if we keep grinding, it can turn 360.”
From veterans to newcomers, each voice shared a common emotion — relief, pride, and joy at finally bringing home the elusive title. For RCB, this was more than just a win — it was the end of an era of near misses and the beginning of a new legacy.