Bengaluru Break Their 9-Year Jinx—Kohli Eyes 18th Trophy as IPL Final Beckons
Ushnish Samadder | IANS | May 30, 2025, 12:30 IST
( Image credit : ANI, Timeslife )
Nine years ago, captain Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore to the IPL final but couldn’t win the trophy. Now, the opportunity returns—this time not as captain, but as a batter, Kohli stands one step away from IPL glory.
Virat Kohli is just one match away from the IPL trophy. Nine years ago, as captain, he led Royal Challengers Bangalore to the final but couldn’t clinch the title. Now, the chance has returned—not as captain, but as a batter. One more win , and the 18th IPL trophy could finally belong to the man in jersey number 18, Virat Kohli.
On Thursday, Bengaluru cruised to a commanding victory in the first IPL Qualifier. After Punjab Kings were bowled out for just 101 runs, Shreyas Iyer and his team's hopes faded. During commentary, Matthew Hayden noted that dew had started to settle on the field by the end of the innings, making things even tougher for Punjab's bowlers. As expected, the outcome was inevitable. Punjab's innings ended in 14.1 overs, and Bengaluru chased down the target in just 10 overs.
Punjab reached the IPL playoffs after 11 years. The last time they made it this far was in 2014, when they lost the final to Kolkata Knight Riders. Interestingly, it was Shreyas Iyer who led KKR to the title last season. This time, he is captaining Punjab. Despite losing the first qualifier, Shreyas still has a chance. If Punjab wins the second qualifier, they’ll face Bengaluru in the final—giving Shreyas the opportunity for revenge. But before that, his team must recover from this one-sided defeat.
Before this season’s IPL began, the broadcaster aired an advertisement featuring Virat Kohli, highlighting the connection between the 18th edition of the IPL and Kohli’s iconic jersey number 18. That prophecy seems to be coming true—Kohli has led Royal Challengers Bangalore to the IPL final. Now, just one win stands between him and the title.
RCB has reached the IPL final three times before but has never won the trophy. Despite Kohli's cabinet boasting titles like the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy, the IPL has remained elusive. Will the 18th IPL finally belong to the man in jersey number 18?
In Thursday’s match, Kohli didn’t have much to do. The game was set up brilliantly by the bowling unit—Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood—who dismantled Punjab Kings for just 101 runs. It was a humiliating collapse for Shreyas and his team, who were bowled out in 14.1 overs, leaving 35 deliveries unused. This became the shortest completed innings in IPL playoff history.
Both Punjab and Bengaluru have been part of the IPL since its inception but have never lifted the trophy. That’s why fans filled the stadium with high expectations for this high-stakes qualifier. The match was held at Punjab’s home ground in Chandigarh, and the stands were packed with Punjab supporters—only to witness their team slump to a record-breaking low.
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On Thursday, Bengaluru cruised to a commanding victory in the first IPL Qualifier. After Punjab Kings were bowled out for just 101 runs, Shreyas Iyer and his team's hopes faded. During commentary, Matthew Hayden noted that dew had started to settle on the field by the end of the innings, making things even tougher for Punjab's bowlers. As expected, the outcome was inevitable. Punjab's innings ended in 14.1 overs, and Bengaluru chased down the target in just 10 overs.
Bengaluru Reach IPL Final After 9 Years | Kohli Nears Trophy, Shreyas Still in the Race
( Image credit : ANI )
Punjab reached the IPL playoffs after 11 years. The last time they made it this far was in 2014, when they lost the final to Kolkata Knight Riders. Interestingly, it was Shreyas Iyer who led KKR to the title last season. This time, he is captaining Punjab. Despite losing the first qualifier, Shreyas still has a chance. If Punjab wins the second qualifier, they’ll face Bengaluru in the final—giving Shreyas the opportunity for revenge. But before that, his team must recover from this one-sided defeat.
Before this season’s IPL began, the broadcaster aired an advertisement featuring Virat Kohli, highlighting the connection between the 18th edition of the IPL and Kohli’s iconic jersey number 18. That prophecy seems to be coming true—Kohli has led Royal Challengers Bangalore to the IPL final. Now, just one win stands between him and the title.
RCB has reached the IPL final three times before but has never won the trophy. Despite Kohli's cabinet boasting titles like the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy, the IPL has remained elusive. Will the 18th IPL finally belong to the man in jersey number 18?
In Thursday’s match, Kohli didn’t have much to do. The game was set up brilliantly by the bowling unit—Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood—who dismantled Punjab Kings for just 101 runs. It was a humiliating collapse for Shreyas and his team, who were bowled out in 14.1 overs, leaving 35 deliveries unused. This became the shortest completed innings in IPL playoff history.
IPL 2025: Suyash and Hazlewood star as RCB storm into fourth final with 8-wicket win over PBKS
( Image credit : IANS )
Both Punjab and Bengaluru have been part of the IPL since its inception but have never lifted the trophy. That’s why fans filled the stadium with high expectations for this high-stakes qualifier. The match was held at Punjab’s home ground in Chandigarh, and the stands were packed with Punjab supporters—only to witness their team slump to a record-breaking low.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!