Image Source : BCCI/IPL
It is easily one of the most polarising and yet loved sides in the entire firmament of the IPL. It is a team that is as talented as it is passionate about the game in which it occupies a precious place in fans’ hearts.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore is not just any IPL outfit; it has become a bandwagon of match winning talents that truly epitomise the spirit of the IPL. It’s all about giving everything to the game in the end and that’s how the biggest cricketing headline of May 29, 2025 was formed: RCB in IPL 2025 final.
Play bold and play passionately remains the ethos of the RCB. And that is exactly how the Rajat Patidar-led side played a few minutes ago as they overcame the daunting Punjab Kings unit in a must win Playoff contest.
RCB in IPL 2025 final was always something that legions of Bangalore’s devoted fans had wanted and that is what panned out in the end but not before RCB displaying an excellent brand of cricket, performing diligently with both bat and ball.
RCB chased down 102-run target with eight wickets in and 10 overs to spare
Game number 71 of the 2025 season of the IPL was always going to be a tense or closely contested game but in the end, staying true to their “play bold” mantra, RCB did actually make lightwork of their opponents Punjab Kings.
First, led by a display of high quality spin bowling assisted ably by medium pace, the RCB camp scuttled Punjab Kings for just 101, one of the lowest IPL team scores in the playoffs. Three of Punjab’s wickets fell to spin with Stoinis and Shashank being clean bowled by the rising spinner.
In what was a disciplined and economical display of medium pace bowling not only did Yash Dayal excel when most needed by his team, even Josh Hazlewood led the attack brilliantly alongside IPL and swing legend Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Together, the trio accounted for 6 wickets.
On the big day when key runs were needed, Priyansh Arya faltered and maybe that set the tone for the perfect derailment of the young lad’s unit. Prabhsimran made just 18 while the usually dangerous Josh Inglis and captain Shreyas Iyer departed for single digit scores.
In the end, the Punjab camp wondered whether 101 was ever going to be enough.
In reply, the ambitious and cheerful Bangalore unit rampaged to a quick start despite losing King Kohli for a run-a-ball 12. But there was no worry as Phil Salt was putting salt into the wounds of Punjab bowlers, striking the ball cleanly and sending it way into the stands.
He would reach a 23-ball-fifty in the end. By the time he raised his bat to celebrate the milestone, he had already hit 5 fours and 3 sixes.
RCB in the IPL 2025 finals was also made possible thanks to a brand of brace and free flowing batting; even Mayank Agarwal, who just made 19, looked in fine touch hitting 2 fours and a six never once looking concerned in the middle.
In the end, an easy 8-wicket win for the chasing side ensured the expected result: RCB in IPL 2025 finals.
And that was with the pursuers without ever seeming in any spot of bother, whatsoever.
For someone who didn’t exactly begin his 2025 season in the beating heart of the Indian sub-continent with a bang, Phil Salt not only top scored for Bangalore, but emerged as the highest scorer in the game itself. His match winning fifty was clearly the headlining act that took RCB in IPL 2025 finals. What was special was to see Patidar, such an able leader at the other end giving full support to the destructive Salt. It was fitting to see the captain being there until the end.
Previously, Bangalore have thrice made it to the finals of the IPL, once each in the tournament’s 2009, 2011 and 2016 editions.
But they lost each time they played the finals. The big question, therefore, remains whether RCB can erase bad luck and script a glorious chapter in their destiny this time around?
But for now, one must savour the win- and it was a win for the ages with RCB chasing down the target with 8 wickets in hand.
