After 18 seasons of near-misses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally won the Indian Premier League. RCB won their first IPL title by beating Punjab Kings by six runs in a tense final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The win ended a long wait for the franchise and for Virat Kohli, who had played for RCB since the first season.
IPL 2025 Winner at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Season | IPL 2025 (Season 18) |
| Winner | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) |
| Runner-Up | Punjab Kings (PBKS) |
| Final Date | 3 June 2025 |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Result | RCB won by 6 runs |
| Captain of Winning Team | Rajat Patidar |
| Player of the Match | Krunal Pandya |
| Winner’s Prize Money | ₹20 crore |
IPL 2025 Final Score: RCB vs PBKS
RCB batted first and posted 190/9, with Virat Kohli making 43 off 35 balls. Punjab chased 191 and finished on 184, falling just short. Shashank Singh hit an unbeaten 61 for Punjab, and Jitesh Sharma added a quick 24 off 10 balls to keep them in the game.
The match turned on RCB’s bowlers, who stayed calm through the late overs. Krunal Pandya was named Player of the Match for his 2 wickets for 17 runs in four overs. In a close final, that kind of control decided the result.
How RCB Won the Title
Players and teams change, but RCB’s identity had long been “great fans, no trophy.” Three things changed in 2025:
- Clear roles: The batting order had a defined mix of attackers and anchors, and the bowlers knew when they would be used.
- Reliable big-match performers: Kohli provided stability, while players like Krunal delivered when it mattered most.
- Calm captaincy: Rajat Patidar made composed decisions in a tight final.
This is the pattern the IPL’s most successful teams follow. Stars matter, but defined roles and nerve in pressure games decide the trophy.
IPL 2025 Prize Money
The final payouts were announced after the match.
| Position / Award | Team / Player | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹20 crore |
| Runner-Up | Punjab Kings | ₹12.5 crore |
| Third Place | Mumbai Indians | ₹7 crore |
| Fourth Place | Gujarat Titans | ₹6.5 crore |
| Orange Cap | Sai Sudharsan | ₹10 lakh |
| Purple Cap | Prasidh Krishna | ₹10 lakh |
| Emerging Player | Sai Sudharsan | ₹10 lakh |
| Most Valuable Player | Suryakumar Yadav | ₹15 lakh |
| Player of the Match (Final) | Krunal Pandya | ₹5 lakh |
For comparison, the 2008 champions received ₹4.8 crore and the runners-up ₹2.4 crore. Prize money has grown more than fourfold for the winners since the league began.
IPL 2025 Award Winners
- Orange Cap: Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans scored 759 runs, finishing just ahead of Suryakumar Yadav’s 717.
- Purple Cap: Prasidh Krishna took 25 wickets, one more than Noor Ahmed.
- Emerging Player: Sai Sudharsan, who also won the Most Fours award with 88.
- Most Valuable Player: Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians.
- Most Sixes: Nicholas Pooran, with 40.
- Fair Play Award: Chennai Super Kings.
Sai Sudharsan was the individual star of the season. Gujarat Titans failed to reach the final, but two of their players took the major cap awards.
Why This Title Mattered
The 2025 win changed how RCB are seen. For years they were the league’s most popular team without a trophy. That title made them champions, and they followed it with a second in 2026. Kohli’s emotion after the final was one of the season’s lasting images. He described the win as something he gave years of his career to, and it was a fitting end to the long wait.
For Punjab Kings, reaching the final was a strong season in its own right. They had not made an IPL final since 2014 and showed they are now a serious contender.
IPL Winners List: Where 2025 Fits
RCB became the eighth different franchise to win the IPL, joining Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans. Mumbai and Chennai still lead with five titles each. For the full year-wise list,
FAQs
Who won IPL 2025?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won IPL 2025, beating Punjab Kings by 6 runs.
Who was the runner-up in IPL 2025?
Punjab Kings.
What was the IPL 2025 final score?
RCB scored 190/9, and PBKS finished on 184.
How much prize money did RCB get for winning IPL 2025?
₹20 crore. The runner-up, Punjab Kings, received ₹12.5 crore.
Who was Player of the Match in the IPL 2025 final?
Krunal Pandya, for his figures of 2/17.
Who won the Orange Cap and Purple Cap in IPL 2025?
Sai Sudharsan won the Orange Cap with 759 runs, and Prasidh Krishna won the Purple Cap with 25 wickets.
Where was the IPL 2025 final played?
At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.