
IPL 2025: Iyer dazzles as Punjab beat Mumbai to set up final with RCB
Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians by five wickets on Sunday to set up an IPL final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as skipper Shreyas Iyer hit an unbeaten 87.
Chasing 204 for victory in a rain-delayed last playoff, Punjab achieved the target with six balls to spare to reach their second IPL final, to be played in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
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Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
It's an amazing feeling, says Kohli as RCB end IPL drought
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Virat Kohli finally ended the 18-year-wait for the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy with a dramatic six-run win over Punjab Kings in the final at Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Having lost three finals in the past, it seemed RCB would suffer another heartbreak after they made a below-par 190 for nine. Kohli topscored with 43, but the Indian superstar failed to find the top gear. Luckily for the RCB and their army of fans, the team's bowlers rose to the challenge with a splendid display to restrict Punjab to 184 for seven. Needing 29 in the final over, Shashank Singh (61 not out off 31 balls) launched a stunning assault on Josh Hazlewood, hitting the Australian pacer for three sixes and a four in the last four balls. But it was too late to stop the RCB and Kohli from winning their first-ever IPL title. Kohli, who has spent all 18 IPL seasons at RCB, failed to hold back the tears after the last ball. "This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. It's been 18 long years. I've given this team my youth, prime and experience," he said. "I've tried to win it every season, gave it everything I have. To finally have it is an unbelievable feeling. Never thought this day would come, I was overcome with emotion after the last ball was bowled. Gave each and every ounce of my energy and it's an amazing feeling." More than 91,000 fans packed into the 132,000-capacity stadium in Ahmedabad, a sea of Bengaluru's red and Kohli's jersey number 18 dominating the stands as chants of "Kohli, Kohli" rang out. They celebrated noisily when Kohli and RCB clinched victory for the first time in the 18 years of the IPL. The 36-year-old Kohli, one of India's all-time greats in all formats of the game, collapsed on the ground after the win and then got up to be hugged by his teammates as the crowd celebrated their hero. Punjab faltered in their chase after left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya took 2-17 from his four overs. Earlier, Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and invited Bengaluru to bat first with the two teams unchanged from their previous victories. Known as "King Kohli" for his prolific run-scoring, the opener was not at his best in the knock, which came in 35 balls and included just three fours. He lost opening partner Phil Salt for 16 when New Zealand quick Kyle Jamieson struck in his first over to send the England batter out in the deep off a good catch by Iyer. Kohli attempted to anchor the innings and take the attack to the opposition with Mayank Agarwal, who made 24, and then skipper Rajat Patidar, who hit 26. But Punjab kept coming back with wickets as leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal got Agarwal and Jamieson trapped the captain lbw. Kohli hung around for a bit but mistimed a rising delivery from Afghanistan pace bowler Azmatullah Omarzai for a caught and bowled. He looked nearly as disappointed as his fans. Jamieson took his third wicket to cut short Liam Livingstone's knock of 25 off 15 balls. Wickets kept tumbling as wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma fell for a 10-ball 24 and Romario Shepherd for 17 off nine balls. Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh took three wickets including Shepherd in the 20th over and gave away just three runs. Bengaluru had defeated Punjab in the first playoff to book their fourth final. Punjab beat five-time champions Mumbai Indians in the last playoff to reach their second final and need 191 to win their first title. The 18th edition of the world's richest cricket league is ending nine days late due to a pause because of the military conflict between India and Pakistan.


The National
3 hours ago
- The National
IPL 2025 final: Emotional Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru end trophy drought
Star India batter Virat Kohli completed his trophy set by helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru win their maiden Indian Premier League title after 17 years of trying. Kohli has won all major white-ball trophies in international cricket, but the IPL crown had eluded him for nearly two decades. But he finally got to tick that box after Bengaluru clinched an six-run win against Punjab Kings at packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Batting first, Bengaluru posted 190-9, Kohli top-scoring with 43. That total seemed below par but a sensational bowling display by Bengaluru kept Punjab batters at bay throughout the 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya (2-17) bowled a remarkable spell that included the scalps of the well-set Josh Inglis (39) and Prabhsimran Singh. Punjab batter Shashank Singh took the match into the final over with a fighting 61 not out off 30 balls, but Bengaluru eked out victory for their first ever IPL title. Earlier, star opening batter Kohli top-scored with 43 but Bengaluru's innings failed to kick on as they posted 190-9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With Bengaluru and Punjab both searching for their first ever IPL title, the 132,000-capacity stadium was nearly packed with a sea of Bengaluru's red and Kohli's jersey number 18 dominating the stands. Kohli was far from fluent though, his innings taking 35 balls with just three fours. He lost opening partner Phil Salt for 16 when New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson struck in his first over to send the England batter out, caught well in the deep by Iyer. Kohli tried to anchor the innings with Mayank Agarwal, who made 24, and then skipper Rajat Patidar, who hit 26. But Punjab kept taking wickets as leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal got Agarwal and Jamieson trapped Patidar lbw. Kohli then mistimed a rising delivery from Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai to be caught and bowled. Jamieson took his third wicket to cut short Liam Livingstone's knock of 25 off 15 balls. Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh then capped a stunning comeback from Punjab, taking three wickets including the dangerous Romario Shepherd in the 20th over while giving away just three runs. The final was watched by a capacity crowd which included former British PM Rishi Sunak. There was heartbreak for Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer who had entered his second straight IPL final after guiding Kolkata to the title last year. As victory neared, Kohli became visibly emotional, struggling to contain himself as more than 100,000 fans rallied around him. He was the first to be mobbed by his teammates, showing how much the title meant for Kohli and the franchise. Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma and long-time teammate and close friend AB de Villiers were at the ground to witness the historic moment.


Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
IPL final 2025: Royal Challengers Bangalore lift trophy, break title drought
In a dramatic end to IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally broke their title drought by overpowering Punjab Kings in a high-stakes final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. RCB, led by captain Faf du Plessis, posted a commanding 190/9 thanks to a gritty 43 from Virat Kohli and a late flourish by Dinesh Karthik. Punjab, despite a strong bowling show from Arshdeep Singh and Chahal, struggled in the chase. Their hopes were dented early as skipper Shreyas Iyer fell for just 1. RCB have looked a different side altogether under Rajat Patidar this season, winning all seven away games in the group stage and crushing Punjab in the first qualifier. Veteran Kohli is their leading scorer in the tournament but while Bengaluru have been criticised in the past for ignoring team balance and packing the side with marquee players they have finally clicked as a team this season. The 36-year-old has been with Bengaluru since the inaugural edition of the league in 2008, including nine seasons as captain of a franchise that made the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but lost every time.