The team won its first title since the beginning of the IPL in 2008

When the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction took place last year in Jeddah, we drafted an article stating that 2025 might be the year of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The team line-up was a topic of discussion. Still, we also mentioned a fan theory or manifestation that was doing the rounds on the internet: given that Virat Kohli wears the no. 18 jersey, 2025 might be RCB’s year, so that in 2026, when IPL turns 18, Kohli walks onto the pitch as the defending champion.

Months later, on June 3, 2025, RCB lifted their maiden IPL title, and three months later in 2026, Virat Kohli will enter the pitch in RCB’s no. 18 jersey as the defending champion of the tournament.

As the year comes to an end, we take a look at RCB’s collective performance in the final that fetched them the trophy.

Stable batting performances

On the night when it mattered the most, the top and middle order of Bengaluru against the Punjab Kings did not give away wickets without adding valuable runs to the scoreboard.

(Credit- The Hindu)

Phil Salt made a quick 16 runs off nine balls, whereas Kohli added 43 in 35 deliveries. Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar, and Liam Livingstone also scored 24, 26, and 25 runs, respectively. Down the order, Jitesh Sharma made 24 runs off 10 balls at a strike rate of 240.00, whereas Romario Shepherd scored another 17 runs off nine balls.

None of the batters made loft contributions, but the team’s collective small contributions helped Bengaluru post a target of 191, which was defendable.

Pandya, Dayal, and Kumar’s bowling efforts

(Credit- BBC)

The Punjab Kings' batting line-up never settled as they lost wickets in quick succession. The only highlights of Punjab’s batting were Josh Inglis, who made 39 runs off 23 balls, and Shashank Singh, who remained not out till the end, scoring 61 runs off 30 balls.

(Credit- Vocal Media)

Krunal Pandya was undoubtedly Bengaluru’s bowling star, picking two wickets while keeping the economy below five, whereas Yash Dayal also managed an economy of six. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, although expensive with his economy of 9.50, was the bowler who finished Punjab’s middle-order hitters, who could take the game away. In fact, Shashank Singh came close, but Bengaluru ultimately won the game by just six runs.

Under Captain Rajat Patidar, Bengaluru ended its 17-year trophy drought.