RCB Ends 18-Year Drought with Nerve-Wracking 6-Run Victory Over PBKS in Epic Final
June 04, (OT Webdesk): In a final that lived up to every ounce of its billing, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their 18-year quest for a maiden title, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by a nail-biting 6-run margin in a clash of the red-clad titans. With both teams desperate to break their trophy jinx, RCB held their nerve in a see-saw battle, leaving PBKS to rue missed opportunities despite a valiant fight.
The match, packed with drama, sharp fielding, and standout performances, cemented RCB’s triumph as a testament to resilience and leadership.
RCB’s Batting: Kohli Anchors, Jitesh Ignites
The day began with PBKS winning the toss and opting to field, a decision that seemed spot-on given recent trends at the venue and favorable bowling conditions. RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli started steadily, mixing aggression with caution. Salt smashed 16 before falling to PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer off Kyle Jamieson’s bowling. The RCB innings followed a rollercoaster pattern—each time momentum built, a wicket stalled them. Partnerships for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th wickets read 38, 40, 35, and 36, with Mayank Agarwal (24), Rajat Patidar (26), Liam Livingstone (25), and Romario Shepherd (17) all falling while trying to accelerate.
Virat Kohli, the backbone of RCB, played a patient 43, holding the innings together. The late fireworks came from Jitesh Sharma, whose aggressive 24 off 10 balls, including two sixes in opposite directions off Jamieson, proved pivotal. Jamieson, rattled by the assault, bowled wides before striking back with an LBW dismissal of Jitesh. RCB finished at 190/9, a total many deemed 20-30 runs short of par. For PBKS, Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson led the attack with 3 wickets each, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Vijaykumar Vyshak shared the rest.
PBKS Chase: Early Fire, Late Fizzle
Chasing 191, PBKS looked in control early on, racing to 70 by the 8th over, powered by openers Priyansh (24) and Prabhsimran (26). Josh Inglis (39) kept the momentum flowing, but RCB’s sharp fielding and disciplined bowling turned the tide. Josh Hazelwood struck first, removing Priyansh, before Krunal led the charge with a miserly 2/19 in the middle overs, dismissing Prabhsimran and Inglis. Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera, heroes of Qualifier 2, couldn’t replicate their magic, falling cheaply.
Shashank Singh fought valiantly, smashing a fabulous half-century, but found little support. Azmatullah Omarzai and Marcus Stoinis perished attempting to up the ante, leaving Shashank stranded. RCB’s seamers—Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and Hazelwood—bowled tight overs at the death, sealing the 6-run victory. Jitesh’s earlier cameo for RCB proved the difference in this razor-thin margin.
Leadership Shines, Legacy Forged
RCB’s triumph was a vindication for captain Rajat Patidar, whose selection raised eyebrows at the season’s start. His calm leadership and tactical acumen silenced doubters, steering RCB to victory and likely cementing his role as a long-term leader. For PBKS, Shreyas Iyer, despite the heartbreak, enhanced his reputation, having led three franchises to finals. His team played some of their best cricket this season, but they’ll need to wait another year to break their title jinx, acknowledging they lost to the better side—RCB, who beat them twice in a week en route to glory.
For Virat Kohli, this win was personal. After years of loyalty to RCB, the talisman silenced critics, lifting the trophy and ending an 18-year drought. The jubilant scenes at the stadium reflected the relief and joy of fans who’ve waited nearly two decades for this moment.
A Final for the Ages
This clash of titans delivered everything fans craved—aggression, skill, and heart-stopping drama. PBKS will take pride in their season, but RCB’s nerve, bolstered by Kohli’s grit, Patidar’s leadership, and Jitesh’s cameo, proved decisive. As the dust settles, RCB celebrates a historic triumph, while PBKS gears up for another shot at glory next year.
