Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) created history by clinching their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title in the 2025 final, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a thrilling match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3. After 17 seasons of heartbreak and near-misses, RCB finally ended their title drought, with emotional scenes unfolding as Virat Kohli, the franchise’s long-standing icon, celebrated the long-awaited victory.
Batting first, RCB posted a competitive total of 190/9 in 20 overs. Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a composed 43 off 35 balls, while Rajat Patidar added a brisk 26 off 16 deliveries. Liam Livingstone’s quickfire 25 off 15 balls and Jitesh Sharma’s breezy 24 off just 10 balls ensured RCB maintained momentum despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep Singh were the standout bowlers for PBKS, claiming three wickets each.
In reply, Punjab Kings came close but ultimately fell short, finishing at 184/7. Shashank Singh was the lone warrior in the latter half of the chase, smashing an unbeaten 61 off 30 balls to keep PBKS in the hunt. Earlier, Josh Inglis contributed 39 off 23 and Prabhsimran Singh scored 26, but the RCB bowlers struck at key moments to derail the chase. Krunal Pandya’s spell of 2/17 turned the match around for RCB, also Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 2/38, including the wickets of Wadhera and Stoinis, helped keep PBKS at bay. Despite a late flourish, PBKS fell six runs short.
The win sparked emotional celebrations from the RCB camp. Virat Kohli, who has been the heart and soul of the franchise since its inception, was visibly moved, finally lifting the trophy that had eluded him for nearly two decades. Captain Rajat Patidar credited Kohli for his legacy and leadership, dedicating the win to him.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 edition begins on March 22 with the final scheduled to be played on May 25. This
18th edition of the tournament promises thrilling matches, featuring marquee clashes between the 10 teams. The opening
match will see defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at
the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, which will also host the final.
IPL 2025 spans across 13 venues, including Hyderabad, which will host Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator while Qualifier 2
and the final will be played in Kolkata.
IPL 2025: Total matches and teams
The IPL 2025 features 10 teams divided into two groups, maintaining the structure introduced in previous seasons. The
participating teams are:
Chennai Super
Kings, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Punjab
Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The tournament comprises a total of 74 matches spread over 65 days, including the group stage and playoffs. 12
double-headers are scheduled in IPL 2025. Each team will play 14 group stage matches, facing opponents both home and
away, ensuring a competitive league phase.
IPL 2025 format
The IPL 2025 retains its familiar format, with the 10 teams divided into two groups. During the group stage, each team
plays 14 matches: twice against teams in their own group and once against teams in the other group. This structure
ensures a balanced and engaging competition, with teams striving to secure a top spot in the
IPL table 2025.
The top four teams from the group stage will advance to the playoffs, which consist of:
Qualifier 1: The match between the first and second-ranked teams; the winner progresses directly to the final.
Eliminator: The match between the third and fourth-ranked teams; the loser is eliminated from the tournament.
Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the winner of the Eliminator; the winner secures the remaining spot in the
final.
This playoff structure adds an extra layer of excitement, as teams have multiple opportunities to reach the final,
keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
IPL 2025 match timings
Matches in IPL 2025 are scheduled to accommodate a wide audience, with timings set to maximise viewership. On days
featuring double-headers, the first match begins at 3:30 PM IST, followed by the evening match at 7:30 PM IST. Single
matches on weekdays are slated for 7:30 PM IST. Follow the IPL matches action on Crickit.
Venues and ticket information
The IPL 2025 will be hosted across 13 venues, bringing the excitement of the tournament to various cities. Notably,
three teams will play their home games at two different venues:
Delhi Capitals: Visakhapatnam
Rajasthan Royals: Guwahati
Punjab Kings: Dharamsala
Having two home grounds allows a broader fan base to experience the live action. For those eager to watch the live
action at the stadium, IPL 2025 tickets will be available through official team websites and authorised ticketing
partners.
Marquee clashes to watch
The IPL 2025 season is packed with high-profile matches that promise intense competition and entertainment. Some of
the standout fixtures this season include:
The tournament kicks off on March 22, 2025, with the Kolkata Knight Riders facing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at
Eden Gardens, Kolkata, at 7:30 PM IST.
On March 23, 2025, the Chennai Super Kings will take on the Mumbai Indians at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, in an
evening match starting at 7:30 PM IST.
The
Delhi Capitals are scheduled to
play against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 30, 2025, at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium,
Visakhapatnam, with the match starting at 3:30 PM IST.
Additionally, the
Rajasthan Royals
will face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 13, 2025, at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, starting at 3:30 PM
IST.
These matches, among others, are expected to have significant implications on the IPL table 2025 standings.
Stay updated with the latest IPL 2025 matches, live scores and real-time updates, including the race for the
prestigious Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
Plan your IPL 2025 season with Crickit's all-inclusive coverage. Stay on top of every match with our detailed fixture
list, covering everything from exciting league clashes to high-stakes playoff encounters. Never miss a moment of the
action—Crickit has your schedule covered!
Follow
IPL 2025 action on
Crickit with the latest
IPL Match Today, updated
IPL Points Table, and top contenders for the
IPL Orange Cap and
Purple Cap in IPL 2025. Stay tuned for all
the IPL updates!
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