CHAMPIONS, FINALLY!

Punjab Kings fail to click with bat or ball as RCB win a tense final by 6 runs for first IPL title

- Rasesh Mandani

AHMEDABAD: Outclassed in 2011, falling agonisingly short by six runs in 2009, losing by eight runs in 2016, 2025 was finally their time. In front of a 91,419-strong crowd in Ahmedabad, predominantly supporting their franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru pulled off a thrifty bowling performance to successfully defend 190 and end a 17-year wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title.

Much like English football fans stay wedded to the catch-phrase "It's coming home" in the hope of a Cup win, RCB supporters have had "Ee Sala Cup Namade" as their battle cry, which was finally answered on Tuesday night against Punjab Kings.

No longer will Virat Kohli remain a king without the crown. He was shedding tears of joy by the time Josh Hazlewood successfully defended 29 runs in the final over. The victory margin was only six runs, but those boundaries at the end didn't matter.

He had a title to show after 17 years of perspiration. It's only fair that AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle were watching from the stands and later celebrated with the RCB players. Both were leading architects of RCB's fandom.

Finals are cruel. Ecstasy to one side leaves the other team in agony. In a tournament like IPL, ten weeks of blood, sweat and tears count for nothing once the final is lost.

It was PBKS' turn to be left agonising. This was only their second final in IPL history, and they will have to wait longer to lay hands on the trophy.