Cricholic
RCB win the long-awaited IPL title at last! After 17 seasons of heartbreak, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally clinched the IPL trophy with a thrilling 6-run win over Punjab Kings. Led by Rajat Patidar and powered by Krunal Pandya’s match-winning spell, RCB defended 190/9 and secured a memorable victory.
Though the margin was slim, RCB’s control in the middle overs and their tight bowling at the death made the difference. As the final ball was bowled, Virat Kohli dropped to his knees — a powerful image symbolizing years of frustration turning into joy.
🔍 Where the RCB Win Was Sealed: Middle Overs Dominate
To understand how RCB win unfolded, look closely at the middle overs. Both sides scored similarly, but RCB managed the phase more effectively.
| Parameters | RCB | PBKS |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 77/3 | 67/3 |
| Run-rate | 8.56 | 7.44 |
| 4s/6s | 3/3 | 2/5 |
Despite scoring only 10 more runs, RCB maintained a higher run rate and executed better shot selection. This forced PBKS into a tough chase in the final overs.
📈 Breaking Down the RCB Win by Phases
💥 Powerplay – RCB’s Scratchy Start
RCB started cautiously. Phil Salt targeted the leg side early but fell in the second over. Virat Kohli faced just 10 balls during the Powerplay, while Mayank Agarwal made a streaky start. Even so, RCB reached 55/1 after six overs.
Meanwhile, PBKS’s bowlers moved the ball well and kept the pressure on.
⚙️ Middle Overs – Kohli Falls, Patidar Holds Steady
Spin bowling challenged RCB’s batsmen. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kyle Jamieson applied pressure with slower deliveries. Kohli fell LBW to Azmatullah Omarzai after a slow innings, and Patidar was dismissed by Jamieson.
Still, Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma fought back with some aggressive shots. Yet, by 15 overs, RCB stood at 113/4 — a precarious position.
🚀 Death Overs – Shepherd Blazes, Arshdeep Strikes Back
Romario Shepherd struck crucial boundaries to lift the score, and Jitesh Sharma powered the innings forward. However, Arshdeep Singh’s pace and accuracy produced three wickets in the final over, restricting RCB to 190.
At that moment, PBKS looked favored to chase the target.
🎯 Punjab’s Chase and the RCB Win
PBKS began their chase strongly. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya found boundaries despite a few chances dropped. RCB’s pace trio—Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar, and Jamieson—bowled tightly.
The game changed when Krunal Pandya came into the attack. He dismissed Prabhsimran and later removed Inglis, halting PBKS’s momentum.
Krunal’s four-over spell controlled the middle overs and forced PBKS into errors.
🧠 Krunal Pandya’s Spell Defines the RCB Win
Krunal Pandya’s figures: 4-0-17-2
Krunal bowled with sharp control and clever variations. He consistently hit the right lengths and slowed PBKS’s scoring. His wickets broke Punjab’s backbone, swinging the game towards RCB.
🔚 Final Overs Drama: Shashank’s Fightback, Hazlewood’s Nerves
Shashank Singh almost pulled off a miracle, smashing 6, 4, 6, 6 in the final four balls. He brought the equation down to 29 off 6 balls, igniting hope.
However, Josh Hazlewood held his nerve. He bowled two crucial dot balls and helped RCB defend the total by 6 runs.
🌟 Key Performers Behind the RCB Win
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Krunal Pandya | 4-0-17-2 (match-winner) |
| Virat Kohli | 43 (solid anchor) |
| Rajat Patidar | 26 (captain’s contribution) |
| Josh Hazlewood | Final over control, 1/38 |
| Shashank Singh | 61* off 28 (valiant effort) |
| Arshdeep Singh | 3 wickets, crucial spells |
📝 Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 190/9 in 20 overs
(Virat Kohli 43, Rajat Patidar 26; Arshdeep Singh 3-40)
Punjab Kings – 184/7 in 20 overs
(Shashank Singh 61*, Josh Inglis 39; Krunal Pandya 2-17)
✅ RCB win by 6 runs
🏅 What the RCB Win Means to Fans and Franchise
RCB has long been a team of stars but no trophy. After three previous final defeats, they finally broke the curse. The captaincy was brilliant, the bowlers disciplined, and the batsmen delivered under pressure.
This win also rewards Virat Kohli’s dedication, as tears flowed freely at the final whistle. It symbolizes redemption and fulfillment.
Moreover, RCB’s young players like Patidar, Shepherd, and Vyshak showed they can perform on the biggest stage. The team now looks stronger and more confident than ever.
