The final match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 saw the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lock horns with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
RCB created franchise history by winning their first-ever IPL title after 18 years. After dominating the league stages, finishing second on the points table, RCB won Qualifier 1 to reach the final.
Virat Kohli and Co. then beat PBKS by six runs to clinch a historic title at Ahmedabad on Tuesday and ended their trophy curse.
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The Sporting News takes a look at how the events unfolded for RCB/PBKS throughout the season.
MORE: IPL 2025 prize money: Full breakdown for winner, runner-up, man of the match, Orange and Purple Cap
How did RCB perform in the league stage?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished second in the points table, just behind Punjab Kings.
RCB bagged nine wins in 14 games in the league stage, with just four losses, and also held a perfect record in away matches. Check out the detailed route to the final for RCB below:
| Opponent | Results | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| KKR | RCB won by 7 wickets | Eden Gardens (A) |
| CSK | RCB won by 50 runs | Chepauk (A) |
| GT | GT won by 8 wickets | Bengaluru (H) |
| MI | RCB won by 12 runs | Wankhede (A) |
| DC | DC won by 6 wickets | Bengaluru (H) |
| RR | RCB won by 9 wickets | Jaipur (A) |
| PBKS | PBKS won by 5 wickets | Bengaluru (H) |
| PBKS | RCB won by 7 wickets | Mullanpur (A) |
| RR | RCB won by 11 runs | Bengaluru (H) |
| DC | RCB won by 6 wickets | Delhi (A) |
| CSK | RCB won by 2 runs | Bengaluru (H) |
| SRH | SRH won by 42 runs | Lucknow (H)* |
| LSG | RCB won by 6 wickets | Lucknow (A) |
* RCB's home game vs SRH was shifted to Lucknow. It is not related as an away game.
How did PBKS perform in the group stage?
Punjab finished at the top of the points table with 19 points, with 9 wins and four losses out of their 14 games. Check out the detailed route to the final for PBKS below:
| Opponent | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| GT | PBKS won by 11 runs | Ahmedabad (A) |
| LSG | PBKS won by 8 runs | Lucknow (A) |
| RR | RR won by 50 runs | Mullanpur (H) |
| CSK | PBKS won by 18 runs | Mullanpur (H) |
| SRH | SRH won by 8 wickets | Hyderabad (A) |
| KKR | PBKS won by 16 runs | Mullanpur (H) |
| RCB | PBKS won by 5 wickets | Bengaluru (A) |
| RCB | RCB won by 7 wickets | Mullanpur (H) |
| KKR | No Result | Eden Gardens (A) |
| CSK | PBKS won by 4 wickets | Chepauk (A) |
| LSG | PBKS won by 37 runs | Dharamsala (H) |
| RR | PBKS won by 10 runs | Jaipur (A) |
| DC | DC won by 6 wickets | Jaipur (H)* |
| MI | PBKS won by 7 wickets | Jaipur (H)* |
* PBKS' last two home matches were shifted to Jaipur
How did RCB perform in the knockouts?
Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB - RCB won by 8 wickets
RCB faced PBKS in the first qualifier playoff match at Mullanpur. A splendid bowling effort led by Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, who picked three wickets each, helped Bengaluru bundle out Punjab for just 101 runs in just 14.1 overs.
RCB chased the target within 10 overs after a brilliant half-century from Phil Salt.
How did PBKS perform in the knockouts?
Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB - RCB won by 8 wickets
PBKS faced RCB in the first qualifier playoff match at Mullanpur. A splendid bowling effort led by Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, who picked three wickets each, helped Bengaluru bundle out Punjab for just 101 runs in just 14.1 overs.
RCB chased the target within 10 overs after a brilliant half-century from Phil Salt.
Qualifier 2: PBKS vs MI: PBKS won by 5 wickets
Punjab were looking to shrug off the setback they faced against RCB as they faced a valiant MI side in the Eliminator. They restricted MI to a score of 203, thanks to impressive bowling in the death by Arshdeep Singh.
In reply, Punjab chased the target with 6 balls still left to play, thanks to skipper Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 87 off 41 deliveries. Nehal Wadhera played a handy innings of 48 off 29 deliveries to help his team towards the ultimate goal.