RCB End 17-Year Title Drought in Style
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a historic moment for the franchise and its fans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden IPL title after a nail-biting 6-run victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS). Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB defended a competitive total of 190/9 to end a 17-year-long wait for the elusive trophy. The turning point came in the middle overs, where veteran all-rounder Krunal Pandya delivered a match-winning spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 17, which choked PBKS’s momentum.
Match Turning Point: Middle Overs Dominate the Game
RCB capitalized during the crucial middle phase of the innings, outscoring PBKS 77/3 to 67/3 in overs 7-15. This 10-run margin made all the difference, leaving Punjab’s lower order with too much to chase in the final overs against RCB’s lethal bowling lineup.
RCB Innings Breakdown
PowerPlay: A Scratchy Start
- Phase Score: 55/1 (RR: 9.17, 4s/6s: 5/2)
RCB lost opener Phil Salt early to Kyle Jamieson, while Virat Kohli played cautiously, facing just 10 deliveries in the PowerPlay. Mayank Agarwal, promoted to No. 3, had a streaky start but managed a few boundaries. PBKS fast bowlers extracted movement, edging the phase.
Middle Overs: Kohli Falls, Patidar Steadies
- Phase Score: 77/3 (RR: 8.56, 4s/6s: 3/3)
Spin dominated the middle overs. Yuzvendra Chahal and Azmatullah Omarzai stifled scoring, with Kohli eventually falling to a clever short ball. Patidar, however, attacked spin effectively before falling LBW to Jamieson. RCB stuttered until a brief flurry from Liam Livingstone.
Death Overs: Jitesh, Shepherd Fire Late
- Phase Score: 58/5 (RR: 11.60, 4s/6s: 3/4)
Jitesh Sharma launched an aggressive counterattack, smashing boundaries off Arshdeep and Jamieson. Romario Shepherd added late fireworks, but Arshdeep had the final say with three wickets in the final over, including Shepherd’s, finishing with 3/40.
PBKS Innings Recap
PowerPlay: RCB Pacers Keep It Tight
- Phase Score: 52/1 (4s/6s: 5/2)
RCB’s pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal bowled disciplined lines. Despite some streaky boundaries from Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, PBKS couldn’t fully capitalize. Arya fell to a stunning boundary catch by Phil Salt.
Middle Overs: Krunal Pandya Spins a Web
- Phase Score: 67/3 (RR: 7.44, 4s/6s: 2/5)
Krunal Pandya was the standout, dismissing Prabhsimran and Josh Inglis while conceding just 17 in his four overs. His economical spell derailed PBKS’s chase as RCB tightened their grip.
Death Overs: Shashank’s Heroics in Vain
- Phase Score: 65/3 (RR: 10.83, 4s/6s: 2/6)
Shashank Singh produced a valiant 61* with explosive hitting, especially in the penultimate over, where he hammered Bhuvneshwar for a six and four. However, with 29 required off the final over, Hazlewood bowled two crucial dots. Despite Shashank’s late flurry (6, 4, 6, 6), it was too little, too late.
Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 190/9 in 20 overs
- Top Scorers: Virat Kohli 43, Rajat Patidar 26
- Top Bowler: Arshdeep Singh 3/40
Punjab Kings: 184/7 in 20 overs
- Top Scorers: Shashank Singh 61*, Josh Inglis 39
- Best Bowler: Krunal Pandya 2/17
Result: RCB won by 6 runs
Final Thoughts
RCB’s triumph wasn’t just about runs on the board—it was about clutch performances, tactical brilliance in the middle overs, and players rising to the occasion under pressure. With their first IPL title finally secured, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have etched their name into cricketing history and given their passionate fanbase a moment to remember.