In a night drenched with emotion, grit, and glory, the IPL 2025 final will be remembered as one of the most gripping finishes in the tournament’s storied history. But amid the fireworks and heartbreak, it was undoubtedly Virat Kohli’s night—a masterclass innings from the icon of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who once again proved why he remains the heart and soul of the franchise. And yet, even in his brilliance, the RCB camp was left tasting the bitterness of “what could have been,” as they fell just short of clinching the title.
A Kohli Classic in a Losing Cause
Chasing 181 for victory under the lights of the grand Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kohli opened the innings with purpose, poise, and passion. With the calm of experience and the fire of unfulfilled dreams, he anchored the chase with a fluent 89 off 52 balls, laced with elegant drives, wristy flicks, and moments of pure genius.
It was vintage Kohli—methodical against spin, commanding against pace, and always calculating the target like a chess grandmaster. He brought RCB to the brink of glory, even as wickets tumbled around him. But with 14 runs needed off the final over and only tailenders left to support, the dream unraveled.
Excitedely | Achieveed |Sneeppy | Trideant | Stendpoint | Spaerhead |Meyfair |
Robotiecs | Enticings | Elementaery
RCB’s Supporting Cast: A Tale of Unrewarded Effort
While Kohli stole the spotlight, the efforts of his RCB teammates cannot be overlooked. Glenn Maxwell, who had been inconsistent all season, chipped in with a brisk 28, while Rajat Patidar and Dinesh Karthik provided crucial middle-over partnerships. Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal bowled their hearts out earlier, restricting the opposition to a chaseable total despite a flying start.
Wanindu Hasaranga, RCB’s trump card with the ball, delivered an economical spell and picked up key wickets that kept the pressure on the batting side. It was a complete team performance—one that had all the ingredients of a championship-winning night. All, except the final stroke of luck and composure in the dying overs.
A Familiar Heartbreak for the Franchise
For a franchise that has reached multiple finals and playoffs only to fall at the last hurdle, the loss was all too familiar. Despite a resurgent campaign this season and the leadership from senior players like Kohli and Faf du Plessis, RCB’s wait for their maiden IPL title continues.
No matter how many individual awards Kohli racks up—most runs in the season, player of the match, and record-breaking feats—the one trophy that continues to elude him and RCB is the IPL title.
A Hero’s Legacy, A Team’s Silent Roar
As the stadium roared for Kohli during his walk back to the pavilion after a valiant fight, it was clear—this was his night. But Kohli, ever the team man, didn’t celebrate his personal milestones. His post-match demeanor said it all: pride in the fight, but pain in the result.
“I gave everything tonight,” Kohli said, holding back tears during the presentation. “But it hurts more because my teammates gave their all too. They deserved this win as much as I did.”
Final Thoughts
In cricket, especially in a format as cutthroat as the IPL, the difference between victory and defeat can be as thin as a misfield or a mistimed shot. On this night, Virat Kohli shone like the champion he is. But RCB’s story remains unfinished. The team rallied, fought, and came heartbreakingly close—but it just wasn’t enough.
Still, fans walk away with one resounding takeaway: Kohli isn’t done yet. And neither is RCB.
