RCB Finally Hoist Their First IPL Trophy After 17 Years of Waiting

It took them 17 long years of attempts and disappointments Royal Challengers Bengaluru at last achieved it. They were IPL champions for the very first time in league history. In a thrilling final they showed nerves of steel and defended 190 runs to beat Punjab Kings by a mere six runs. This emotional victory put an end to years of frustration for the fans and spread happiness among the die-hard fans of RCB worldwide. It was a team performance with everyone doing their bit but it was also a night where experience and intelligent decision-making played all the difference.

RCB's innings got off to a couple of hiccups. Phil Salt provided a brisk start but was dismissed early. Virat Kohli, who has been the team's face for so long also started nervously. The PowerPlay was not smooth but Mayank Agarwal and others saw to it that the scoreboard kept moving. Kohli did show some intention with a shot over the keeper but never seemed to settle down. The turning point in the match came in the middle overs when Rajat Patidar took the reins. He played the spinners well scoring a six over mid-wicket against Yuzvendra Chahal. His innings was, however, brought to an end by Kyle Jamieson who outwitted him with a judicious change of pace. Even Kohli went soon thereafter attempting to hit Azmatullah Omarzai. Nevertheless RCB gathered some rhythm as Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma started to hit hard and pick up runs.

Death overs had fireworks. Jitesh played a scorching knock striking Arshdeep Singh and Jamieson across the park. Romario Shepherd also joined the party with some big shots. But Arshdeep responded well in the last over taking three wickets to deny RCB 200. Although the final total was 190 it was sufficient due to what happened with the ball.

Punjab Kings entered to chase with confidence. Their openers searched for gaps and boundaries. But RCB's pacers such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood maintained tightness. They didn't give easy runs and created early pressure. Prabhsimran Singh was fortunate a few times but was unable to make the most of it. The turning point of the initial overs was Phil Salt's spectacular catch at the boundary to send back Priyansh Arya. It established the tone for the subsequent innings.

The actual game-changing moment arrived in the middle overs when Krunal Pandya was brought into the attack. The left-arm spinner who had won titles previously knew what he was doing. He bowled tight lines gave away nothing and got crucial wickets such as Prabhsimran and Josh Inglis. His 2 for 17 in four overs spell disrupted Punjab's rhythm entirely. When they were in need of pushing Krunal, he just refused to let them and kept the pressure intact. He was supported by Suyash Sharma and Romario Shepherd who also contributed with wickets at that stage.

Despite Shashank Singh's attempt to resist with some big hitting towards the latter stages it did come a bit too late. He played a masterful innings and hammered several sixes but there was too much to accomplish in the final over. RCB's bowlers kept their nerves intact. Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar were cool heads under pressure and did not concede any easy boundaries when it was most needed. Shashank's six four six six off the last four balls of the game arrived after two dot balls which had already sealed the match.

RCB had been promising in the entire season. They had some good performers in every department and despite going through ups and downs their faith never broke. Rajat Patidar as the captain took bold decisions like persisting with Krunal Pandya for four consecutive overs. These actions paid dividends in this final. Players like Kohli and Shepherd played from the heart while the bowling attack played with control and planning.

This victory wasn't all about this one match. This was about years of efforts and setbacks and rebuilding again and again. RCB had played finals before but they always ended up losing. The fans have wept after those losses and the team itself was subjected to jokes and ridicule. But today they scripted a different tale. The scenes during the end were quite emotional. Kohli was noticed with tears in his eyes and the players embraced one another as they relished a moment that they had fantasized about for almost two decades.

For Punjab Kings, it was another opportunity missed. They were close and had moments when they could have won the game but could not seal it. Shashank's valiant efforts and Inglis's assistance provided them with hope but losing wickets at crucial times particularly in the middle overs under Krunal's spell cost them heavily. Arshdeep Singh bowled well and Jamieson gave his all but RCB were just better on the night when it mattered the most.

This IPL final will be remembered for its drama and emotion. It was a party of cricket and reminder of how lovely the game is. Above all, it was about patience and belief. RCB had waited for 17 years and never lost faith. That patience has now been converted into a historic victory and a dream achieved.