After 18 years of waiting and heartbreak, Virat Kohli’s Bengaluru has finally lifted their first-ever IPL trophy. In a gripping final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Bengaluru edged past Punjab Kings by just 6 runs to script history.
Match Summary
Batting first, Bengaluru posted a competitive total of 190 runs for 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Although explosive opener Phil Salt departed early with just 18 runs on the board, Kohli and Mayank Agarwal stitched together a 38-run partnership. Kohli played a patient knock of 43 runs off 35 balls, while Agarwal contributed 24 off 18.
The real acceleration came in the middle and later overs, with Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone adding 36 runs off just 12 balls for the fifth wicket. Jitesh scored a quickfire 24 off 10, and Livingstone chipped in with 25 off 15. The finishing touch came from Romario Shepherd, who scored a vital 17 off 9 balls. However, Arshdeep Singh bowled a brilliant final over, conceding just three runs and finishing with three wickets alongside Kyle Jamieson.
Punjab’s Chase Falters
Chasing 191 for victory, Punjab got off to a solid start. Prabhsimran Singh and Prabhsimran Arya added 43 runs for the opening stand. They reached 52 by the end of the powerplay. However, the innings lost momentum after Arya was dismissed for 24 off 19 balls by Josh Hazlewood.
Captain Shreyas Iyer’s early dismissal for just 1 run in the 10th over left the team reeling. At the halfway mark, Punjab was at 81 for 3. Josh Inglis tried to stabilize the innings with a 39-run knock off 23 balls but failed to capitalize further.
Nehal Wadhera’s sluggish 15 off 18 balls created additional pressure. Marcus Stoinis briefly lifted hopes with a six off his first ball, but he was dismissed the very next delivery by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, leaving Punjab in deep trouble with 49 needed off 21 balls and only five wickets remaining.
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Shashank’s Lone Fight
Shashank Singh stood tall amidst the collapse, playing a heroic knock of 61 off 30 balls with 6 sixes and 3 fours. Despite his valiant effort, Punjab fell short and ended their innings at 184 for 7.
Match-Winning Bowling from Bengaluru
Krunal Pandya was the standout bowler for Bengaluru, delivering four economical overs for just 17 runs. He applied crucial pressure in the middle overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up 2 key wickets as well, including the important scalp of Stoinis.
What Went Wrong for Punjab
Punjab’s undoing came from the middle-order collapse, lack of acceleration during the crucial overs, and key dismissals of Shreyas Iyer and Stoinis at turning points in the game. Wadhera’s slow innings compounded the pressure, and despite Shashank’s brilliance, the team could not recover.
What This Win Means for Bengaluru
This historic victory marks Bengaluru’s first-ever IPL championship in their 18-year history. For Virat Kohli, who has been the face of the franchise through years of near misses and heartbreaks, the moment is nothing short of monumental. It is more than just a title, it is redemption, relief, and a reward for relentless belief.
The final showcased grit, character, and team spirit. From clinical bowling to calculated aggression in the middle overs, Bengaluru’s strategy clicked on the biggest stage.
Source: Somoy TV
