Hazlewood, Kohli lift IPL trophy at expense of WA duo
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their talisman Virat Kohli ended a 17-season drought by winning their maiden IPL title, beating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final in Ahmedabad.
Put into bat on Tuesday, Bengaluru posted a modest 9 for 190 before restricting Ricky Ponting-coached Punjab to 7 for 184 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Kohli top-scored for his side with 43 but it was their bowling which secured Bengaluru's memorable victory.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood claimed one wicket, but fellow Australians Josh Inglis (39) and Marcus Stoinis (6) both ended up on the losing side.
Bengaluru finished runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016, but finally claimed the prize, thanks largely to Krunal Pandya's sensational 2-17 in four overs.
Kohli was in tears once he realised Bengaluru were about to shed the underachiever's tag that has stuck to them since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league. Virat Kohli in the field after RCB sealed victory. Credit: Pankaj Nangia / Getty Images
Afterwards, a jubilant Hazlewood said: 'The wicket was a little bit up and down. Our guys batted really well to post that score - everyone just chipping in - and the bowlers held their nerve, so great result.'
Asked what it would mean to Kohli to end his side's title quest at last, Hazlewood said: 'It probably means everything to him. Some of us come and go in the franchises but to be there from the start and to slug it out for 18 seasons and to get a result tonight, I think we'll see a bit of emotion there.'
Hazlewood and Inglis were due to fly straight to England after the final for next week's World Test Championship against South Africa. It will have made for an interesting flight.
Put in to bat, Bengaluru fell short of the 200-mark, having been 2 for 87 at the midway stage. Kohli anchored their innings but Bengaluru could never really break loose.
Azmatullah Omarzai deceived Kohli with a bouncer and took a running, tumbling return catch.
Jitesh Sharma's 24 off 10 balls injected some momentum into Bengaluru's stop-start innings and Liam Livingstone made 25 but they never capitalised in the death overs.
Punjab's Kyle Jamieson claimed 3-48, while his new ball partner Arshdeep Singh bowled an excellent three-wicket final over, conceding only three runs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrate with the trophy. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP
Punjab got off to a fast start and opener Prabhsimran Singh, on nine, was lucky to be spilled in the deep by Romario Shepherd.
Hazlewood, the luckless bowler then, did not have to wait long for a wicket, though, as Phil Salt took a stunning catch in the deep to remove Priyansh Arya (24) and break the 43-run opening stand.
Krunal Pandya removed Prabhsimran and Shepherd redeemed himself by dismissing Punjab's in-form captain Shreyas Iyer to turn the match on its head.
Left-arm spinner Pandya put Bengaluru on top when he dismissed the dangerous Inglis and Bhuvneshwar Kumar effectively sealed the match when he dismissed Nehal Wadhera and Stoinis in the same over.
Later, Kohli, still with bloodshot eyes, told broadcasters what it meant to him. 'It's been 18 long years. I've given this team my youth, my prime and my experience, and I've tried to win this every season...
'To finally have this moment come true, it's an unbelievable feeling. I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotions as soon as the last ball was bowled.'
Kohli has been with Bengaluru since 2008, including nine seasons as captain. The relief was palpable as he hugged former teammate AB de Villiers.
'I've stayed loyal to this team no matter what,' Kohli said.
'I always dreamt of winning it with them, and this is far more special than winning it with anyone else...
'This is the team I'm going to play for till the last day in IPL.'
With agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
7 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Number of high net worth Australians outpaces economic growth
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The wealth of Australia's millionaires and billionaires significantly outpaced economic growth in 2024, new analysis shows. Research from French multinational business consultancy firm, Capgemini, shows 334,800 Australians are now deemed 'high net worth individuals', up 0.5 per cent last year. Just under 10 per cent of those people have investable assets between $US5m-$US30m. There are now 2450 Australians with investable assets over $US30m. The total wealth of high net worth Australians grew 3.3 per cent in 2024, the report shows, while the Australian economy grew just 1.3 per cent for the year. Owning a house continues to be the largest differentiator between the rich and the least wealthy 50 per cent of the population. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers The Capgemini report, released this week, also throws up a broad view of how the wealthy will pass on their riches, and how their children are likely to invest the funds. In the next two decades, globally some $128 trillion will change hands by inheritance, Capgemini estimates. The inheriting generation are more open to risk, Capgemini says, and advises wealth and asset managers to prepare for the change in appetite. Separate analysis released this week by Oxfam shows the number of Australian billionaires has doubled in the space of a decade to 161. The wealth of Australia's high net worth citizens grew 3.3 per cent last year, while the country's economic growth came in at 1.3 per cent. Picture: Christian Gilles / NewsWire 'This level of inequality is not just morally wrong – it's economically and socially dangerous,' Oxfam Australia acting chief executive Chrisanta Muli said. 'While millions of Australians are struggling to make ends meet, the country's richest continue to amass eye-watering fortunes, often without lifting a finger.' In the past decade, the wealth of Australia's richest 200 people has risen 160 per cent to $667bn, Oxfam says. 'It is scandalous and unjust that property continues to be one of the biggest drivers of wealth across the decade while over 99 per cent of rentals are unaffordable for people earning a full-time minimum wage,' Dr Muli said. Originally published as 'Scandalous': Number of high net worth Australians outpaces economic growth
Sky News AU
8 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Every worker': Number of Aussies hit by unrealised gains tax in next 30 years revealed
Wilson Asset Management Founder Geoff Wilson reveals the number of Australians in the next 30 years who will be hit by the unrealised gains tax. 'Now, effectively without the indexation, we have done some numbers, and within the next 30 years, 8.1 million or more than half of the working population will be over that $3 million mark,' Mr Wilson told Sky News host Peta Credlin. 'Without indexation, eventually every worker will be paying tax on unrealised gains, so they will be paying tax on a profit that may never eventuate.'
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
First look: watch the moving new celebration of the Aussies who inspire us
The National Australia Day Council is showcasing current and former Australian of the Year Awards recipients in an inspiring new advertising campaign to encourage nominations for next year's awards. The 60-second advertisement to appear online and on TV features current Australian of the Year Neale Daniher and Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck as well as Local Hero Award recipients Amar Singh, of Turbans 4 Australia, and Victorian football advocate for women Jasmine Hirst. Part of the clip was filmed in Cafe Stepping Stone, the social enterprise employing women mostly from migrant and refugee backgrounds established in Canberra by Australia's Local Heroes for 2025, Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until July 31. Australians are being urged to shine a spotlight on the local legends and national change-makers whose efforts have enriched our communities. The Australian of the Year Awards require public nominations to identify outstanding individuals and it only takes one nomination for someone to be considered for the prestigious awards. "Every day, we all see people doing something special or we hear about people who are making a real impact - it's these people we all see and hear about that we want the public to nominate," National Australia Day Council chair John Foreman said. "When you see them or hear about them, nominate them." Nominate now at The four categories are: Australian of the Year; Senior Australian of the Year (aged 65 and over); Young Australian of the Year (aged 16 to 30); and Australia's Local Hero. From the public's nominations, each state and territory announces a recipient in each category. These state and territory award recipients then become the national finalists for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards to be announced on the evening of January 25, 2026, in Canberra. Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at The National Australia Day Council is showcasing current and former Australian of the Year Awards recipients in an inspiring new advertising campaign to encourage nominations for next year's awards. The 60-second advertisement to appear online and on TV features current Australian of the Year Neale Daniher and Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck as well as Local Hero Award recipients Amar Singh, of Turbans 4 Australia, and Victorian football advocate for women Jasmine Hirst. Part of the clip was filmed in Cafe Stepping Stone, the social enterprise employing women mostly from migrant and refugee backgrounds established in Canberra by Australia's Local Heroes for 2025, Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until July 31. Australians are being urged to shine a spotlight on the local legends and national change-makers whose efforts have enriched our communities. The Australian of the Year Awards require public nominations to identify outstanding individuals and it only takes one nomination for someone to be considered for the prestigious awards. "Every day, we all see people doing something special or we hear about people who are making a real impact - it's these people we all see and hear about that we want the public to nominate," National Australia Day Council chair John Foreman said. "When you see them or hear about them, nominate them." Nominate now at The four categories are: Australian of the Year; Senior Australian of the Year (aged 65 and over); Young Australian of the Year (aged 16 to 30); and Australia's Local Hero. From the public's nominations, each state and territory announces a recipient in each category. These state and territory award recipients then become the national finalists for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards to be announced on the evening of January 25, 2026, in Canberra. Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at The National Australia Day Council is showcasing current and former Australian of the Year Awards recipients in an inspiring new advertising campaign to encourage nominations for next year's awards. The 60-second advertisement to appear online and on TV features current Australian of the Year Neale Daniher and Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck as well as Local Hero Award recipients Amar Singh, of Turbans 4 Australia, and Victorian football advocate for women Jasmine Hirst. Part of the clip was filmed in Cafe Stepping Stone, the social enterprise employing women mostly from migrant and refugee backgrounds established in Canberra by Australia's Local Heroes for 2025, Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until July 31. Australians are being urged to shine a spotlight on the local legends and national change-makers whose efforts have enriched our communities. The Australian of the Year Awards require public nominations to identify outstanding individuals and it only takes one nomination for someone to be considered for the prestigious awards. "Every day, we all see people doing something special or we hear about people who are making a real impact - it's these people we all see and hear about that we want the public to nominate," National Australia Day Council chair John Foreman said. "When you see them or hear about them, nominate them." Nominate now at The four categories are: Australian of the Year; Senior Australian of the Year (aged 65 and over); Young Australian of the Year (aged 16 to 30); and Australia's Local Hero. From the public's nominations, each state and territory announces a recipient in each category. These state and territory award recipients then become the national finalists for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards to be announced on the evening of January 25, 2026, in Canberra. Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at The National Australia Day Council is showcasing current and former Australian of the Year Awards recipients in an inspiring new advertising campaign to encourage nominations for next year's awards. The 60-second advertisement to appear online and on TV features current Australian of the Year Neale Daniher and Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck as well as Local Hero Award recipients Amar Singh, of Turbans 4 Australia, and Victorian football advocate for women Jasmine Hirst. Part of the clip was filmed in Cafe Stepping Stone, the social enterprise employing women mostly from migrant and refugee backgrounds established in Canberra by Australia's Local Heroes for 2025, Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until July 31. Australians are being urged to shine a spotlight on the local legends and national change-makers whose efforts have enriched our communities. The Australian of the Year Awards require public nominations to identify outstanding individuals and it only takes one nomination for someone to be considered for the prestigious awards. "Every day, we all see people doing something special or we hear about people who are making a real impact - it's these people we all see and hear about that we want the public to nominate," National Australia Day Council chair John Foreman said. "When you see them or hear about them, nominate them." Nominate now at The four categories are: Australian of the Year; Senior Australian of the Year (aged 65 and over); Young Australian of the Year (aged 16 to 30); and Australia's Local Hero. From the public's nominations, each state and territory announces a recipient in each category. These state and territory award recipients then become the national finalists for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards to be announced on the evening of January 25, 2026, in Canberra. Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at
