The final is about the emotion and the fire in the tank to win: Dinesh Karthik

RCB Win IPL 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their first IPL title after 18 seasons, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final.

RCB posted a total of 190 for 9, which proved to be enough to defend. Krunal Pandya was the star with the ball, taking 2 for 17 in his four overs.

RCB Player Reactions:

• On defending the total: "It looked very much like it. We thought 180 would be a good score to defend on. And we got almost 190. Ten more than what we thought. And that was the executor of the last seven. He's seen a lot of counter bowling. I think he spent 10 to 16 hours. That's what he bowled in the middle. But, yes, he changed the pace a little bit. But we talked about it, that we don't want to overuse it. We'll use other options and then use a slow option as well."
• On the pitch: "Yeah, I think 190 was a very good score. I think the wicket was a little bit up and down. I know it got better as the night went on. But I think our guys brought it out in the back really well to close that score. Everyone just chipped in. And the bowlers held their nerves. So, yeah, great result."
• On Virat Kohli's emotions: "Yeah, it probably means everything to Virat. You know, a few of us come and go in franchises. But to me, they're there from the start. And to slug it out for 18 seasons and to get the result tonight, I think you'll see a bit of emotion, yeah."
• On returning after the IPL interruption: "Yeah, absolutely. You only get better playing in situations like this, gaining that experience. It only adds so many things to your body. So, very happy I came back. I feel fine."
• On the franchise's support: "These franchises have been for a number of years. Yeah, it's awesome. It's an unbelievable feeling right now. I'll be honest with you. I don't know where I am at the minute. I've not had the most sleep. But I'm so proud of the moment. I've got a lucky charm now. My brother very much. I can. Every round we go, we're the best of our team. It's ridiculous. Even now, we've got AB here. We've got Chris here. Everyone's come back. If you play for them, you love the franchise. If you support them, you love them. And we're so grateful for that. Thanks for supporting us. Thanks for coming out with your numbers. Early on in the comp, there were a few games where we were right behind the eight ball and we sort of rode the crowd. So, you've won more games than you think it was going to be able for us."
• On the team's belief: "Massive. It's a team that waited 18 years, played a lot of good cricket, had to wait its time. But it belongs to every fan here because they've been waiting here. They've had a great time. They all cried their hearts out. There are a couple of support staff in our team, all these guys have waited 18 years. I'm very happy for them. Right from the start, we believed we were a team that was good. We had a lot of bases covered. We didn't play the way we wanted. I knew things would definitely work in our favour. And it's great to see the boys stand up at different points of time. Even today, it was a high-pressure game. They really pushed us. It's not an easy thing to bat on. But I think we put up a good performance."
• On the final's emotion: "Like I said, it wasn't easy to bat. It was a bit of a good pitch. But, you know, this game, the final, it's not about the pitch. It's about the emotion. It's about how much you have in your tank and the fire to win. And I think we had that a lot today. Great. A lot of credit to our support staff. I think we've been really good. It's a very cliched thing to say at the end of the tournament, but I must say Andy Flower put us through the rigour. He really pushed us. And I think it made us good support staff. Like, I've become a better batting coach than what I started. Obviously, it's my first time. But the way he's groomed me and helped me, more than that, the way from the start, he had a plan and a vision. And all of the pieces falling into place. And it's great to see that's the culmination of all the effort that all the boys have put in. Amazing work by the boys."
• On Virat Kohli's achievement: "Sir, I can't express anything right now. I'm very happy for Virat Kohli. Because he's been waiting for this for 18 years. As a human, I can understand when a person waits for a trophy for 18 years. Wow. Like I said earlier, when you play for others, you do something extraordinary. When you play for yourself, you're conserved and insecure. But when you want to do something for someone else, something magical happens. That's what I was saying, sir. He's standing right back there. He can't believe what's happened."
• On life's unpredictability: "I think life is very unpredictable. If you can stay put, keep grinding, it can turn 360. And there's a lesson for you."

Krunal Pandya (Player of the Match):

• On his bowling strategy: "Again, when we batted the first innings, we realised I was sitting outside and again I had discussion with the batters and I realised that the slower you bowl, it is better and it is difficult. But again, in this format, as a bowler, you need sometimes guts to do that, you know, because the margin of error becomes very minimum, you know. But again, I just backed myself and thought that if I am able to vary my pace and keep it more on the slower side, I create chances rather than just coming and firing it up."
• On picking wickets and restricting the scoring rate: "Yes, exactly. Again, what has been my biggest strength is learning what is the situation is required and I have always backed my gut instinct. And today also I realised that if I am able to take couple of wickets in the middle, I have to be slightly brave enough, then the game will be much more in our hand. And again, I just thought that if I am able to deliver and if I am able to bowl slow, I will be able to get couple of wickets and glad that happened as well."
• On the pitch conditions: "I mean, again, if you would have bowled quick on that surface, it would have been a good batting wicket. But if you would have kept wearing your pace, there was some help. And obviously, second inning slightly got better as well compared to first innings."
• On fulfilling his promise: "Again, when I joined RCB, I told that I love winning trophies and again after three and half months, glad that I was able to fulfill what I said on day one. I literally manifested and it has been pretty good, right? I mean, 10 years, 4 IPL trophies. I told Hardik also on the phone that even in the Pandya household, there will be 9 trophies in 11 years."