RCB's dream finally comes true, lift their first ever IPL trophy by defeating Punjab in the Final
It occurs. Not every day can be identical. They waited. Received an opportunity. Let it slip. Waited once more. Received another opportunity. Misfired again. Finally, on their fourth attempt, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their inaugural IPL title in their 18th season. Tears of happiness stream down Virat Kohli's face, and while the celebration erupts, he takes a moment to gather himself.
The past several months appear to have been orchestrated by fate in his favor. First, the T20 World Cup. Then, the Champions Trophy. Now, the IPL. Who knows, if Jasprit Bumrah had been fit to bowl in the Sydney Test, Kohli could have still been in pursuit of another trophy in the WTC final! The only player to have represented ONE TEAM in IPL history - VIRAT KOHLI - this moment belongs as much to you as it does to all of Bengaluru. Savor it.
What an incredible season it has been for Rajat Patidar. In his inaugural season as captain of RCB, he has finally led the team to break their title drought! The foundation for this success was laid during the auction, where RCB made significant investments in their bowling lineup, knowing they had strong batting options available over the years.
They made some strategic acquisitions, such as Phil Salt and Tim David, but their most crucial signing was Josh Hazlewood, who finished the season with 22 wickets, proving to be a standout performer. Additionally, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma delivered impressive performances, while the ever-dependable Bhuvneshwar Kumar contributed his valuable experience.
In this exciting match, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and decided to bowl first. After losing the toss, Royal Challengers Bangalore came out to bat first but their start was disappointing and the team suffered its first big blow at a score of just 18 runs. After this, Virat Kohli and Mayank Agarwal together handled the innings and took the team's score beyond 55 runs.
Batting first, Royal Challengers Bangalore scored 190 runs in the stipulated 20 overs by losing nine wickets. Virat Kohli played a brilliant innings of 43 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore. During this excellent innings, Virat Kohli hit three fours in 35 balls. Apart from Virat Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar scored 26 runs.
On the other hand, star fast bowler Kyle Jamieson gave the first big success to the Punjab Kings team. Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep Singh took the maximum three wickets each for Punjab Kings. Apart from Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Azmatullah Umarzai and Vijaykumar Vishak took one wicket each. Punjab Kings had to score 191 runs in 20 overs to win this match.
Let us tell you that the Punjab Kings team, which came out to chase the target, had a great start and both the openers put 43 runs on the board for the first wicket. The Punjab Kings team could score only 184 runs after losing seven wickets in 20 overs. Star batsman Shashank Singh played the highest unbeaten innings of 61 runs for Punjab Kings. During this explosive innings, Shashank Singh hit three fours and six sixes in 30 balls. Apart from Shashank Singh, Josh Inglis scored 39 runs.
At the same time, deadly fast bowler Josh Hazlewood gave the first big success to the Royal Challengers Bangalore team. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya took the maximum of two wickets each from Royal Challengers Bangalore. Apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Romario Shepherd and Yash Dayal took one wicket each.
1st innings scorecard:
Royal Challengers Bangalore batting: 190/9, 20 overs (Philip Salt 16 runs, Virat Kohli 43 runs, Mayank Agarwal 24 runs, Rajat Patidar 26 runs, Liam Livingstone 25 runs, Jitesh Sharma 24 runs, Romario Shepherd 17 runs, Krunal Pandya 4 runs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1 run and Yash Dayal 1 run not out.)
Punjab Kings bowling: (Kyle Jamieson 3 wickets, Arshdeep Singh 3 wickets, Yuzvendra Chahal 1 wicket, Azmatullah Umarzai 1 wicket and Vijaykumar Vishak 1 wicket).
2nd innings scorecard:
Punjab Kings batting: 184/7, 20 overs (Priyansh Arya 24 runs, Prabhsimran Singh 26 runs, Josh Inglis 39 runs, Shreyas Iyer 1 run, Nehal Wadhera 15 runs, Shashank Singh 61 runs not out, Marcus Stoinis 6 runs, Azmatullah Umarzai 1 run and Kyle Jamieson 0 runs not out.)
Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling: (Josh Hazlewood 1 wicket, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2 wickets, Krunal Pandya 2 wickets, Romario Shepherd 1 wicket and Yash Dayal 1 wicket).