The long wait is finally over. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the IPL 2025 winner team. After years of heartbreak, trolling, and what-ifs, RCB fans can finally scream those magical words: RCB win IPL trophy. The 2025 season wasn’t just a fairytale, it was a masterclass in planning, balance, execution, and composure. While the final itself was a thrilling six-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS), the story of RCB win IPL 2025 began much earlier. This article breaks down the key factors that led to the historic win. Let’s dive in.
How Did RCB Win IPL Trophy？
1. Balanced Squad Composition
RCB’s 2025 campaign was built on a well-rounded team. From the auction table to the final XI, the management finally got the mix right. There was a perfect blend of experience and youth, power-hitters and accumulators, tearaway quicks and control spinners. They covered all departments smartly and had backups ready for every role. RCB’s strategic approach played a key role in their success.
𝙆𝙞𝙨𝙞 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙯 𝙠𝙤 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙝𝙤…..👀🏆#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 #RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/2g0FlcfuJq
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 3, 2025
They didn’t overload with star power. Instead, they banked on form, fitness, and complementary skills. This allowed them to remain flexible across venues and match conditions, adapting quickly to challenges and opponents.
From heartbreak to healed! ❤️🔥
We’ve come a full circle, written in grit and glory. 🏆🥹 pic.twitter.com/EWycEY0Hww
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 3, 2025
2. Kohli’s Anchoring + Leadership Evolution
While Virat Kohli was not the captain this season, his influence was undeniable. As a senior figure, his calm, calculated approach at the top set the tone. His 43 in the final may not grab headlines, but it was crucial in anchoring a tricky pitch. More importantly, he stepped back to let Rajat Patidar lead. This move gave the younger players space and reduced pressure on the dressing room. Kohli’s maturity and hunger rubbed off on the squad.
𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱. 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗺. 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀! That’s Captain Rajat for you. 🗿
Rajat Nation, join us in wishing our leader a very Happy birthday! Lead us to glory, Ra-Pa! ❤️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/ycw0joLwvI
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 1, 2025
3. Rajat Patidar’s Captaincy Masterclass
This was Rajat Patidar’s first season as captain, and he delivered beyond expectations. Calm under pressure, clear with plans, and gutsy in decisions, his style reflected quiet assurance. He rotated bowlers wisely and gave players like Krunal Pandya and Shepherd the confidence to perform their roles. His leadership was a key factor in RCB’s journey to becoming the IPL 2025 winner team. His contributions with the bat were timely, too. While he didn’t fire in the final, his season-long consistency stabilised the middle order.
KP, you beauty! And he’s not done yet 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ndAiPTEJfZ
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 3, 2025
4. Krunal Pandya’s Impact in Middle Overs
Krunal was a tactical steal. Released by LSG, picked by RCB, and repurposed to attack the middle phase, he turned games around with his stump-to-stump accuracy. In the final, he dismissed two key batters, Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis, at crucial moments.
His performance was vital in helping RCB win IPL 2025, solidifying his place as one of the standout players. He finished the season with an economy under 7 and a bowling average in the low 20s. In a tournament where most teams struggled to control the middle overs, RCB found their silent assassin, making them the IPL 2025 winner team.
5. Death Bowling Finally Clicked
The phrase “RCB’s death bowling” has haunted fans for years. But 2025 changed that narrative. RCB win IPL 2025 was made possible by a death bowling unit that finally delivered. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience, Josh Hazlewood’s calmness, and Shepherd’s late-burst pace created a reliable unit. In the final, despite Shashank Singh’s scary assault in the last over, Hazlewood held his nerve to close it out. This wasn’t luck. This was the result of precise planning, specific bowling roles, and trust in execution, leading to the ultimate reward of the RCB win IPL trophy.
6. Explosive Finishers Stepping Up
RCB’s lower order was no longer a liability. Jitesh Sharma’s 24 off 10 balls in the final proved decisive. His fearless approach in the last few overs often took the target beyond the opponent’s reach.
Throughout the season, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd contributed with late cameos. Their batting depth made RCB dangerous even after top-order collapses. Shepherd’s ability to clear the ropes at will, especially during high-pressure moments, added much-needed muscle to the finishing department. This lower-order firepower consistently gave RCB a cushion in tight matches.
7. Clear Tactical Identity
Every successful team has a defined playing style. This year, RCB had clarity.
- Start solid with Kohli and Salt.
- Control the middle with Patidar, Padikal/ Mayank.
- Unleash in the death with Jitesh and Tim David.
- Bowl defensively early, attack in the middle, and choke at the death.
That rhythm and structure allowed players to relax into their roles. Everyone knew their job.
8. Bench Strength and Smart Rotation
Injuries didn’t hurt them this year. Why? Because the bench was ready. Players like Nuwan Tushara, Lungi Ngidi, and Jacob Bethell stepped in when needed. The management rotated bowlers smartly depending on pitch conditions. Unlike previous seasons, RCB didn’t depend on 2–3 stars. They built a complete squad. That resilience showed when it mattered.
UNBEATEN AWAY! ❤️🔥
First IPL team to sweep the road clean. 💯 pic.twitter.com/87bewooCek
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 27, 2025
9. RCB’s Perfect Away Streak
A key pillar of RCB’s title-winning campaign was their flawless record in away matches. They became the first team in IPL history to win all seven away league-stage games in a single season, a feat never achieved before.
This run saw them beat top teams in their backyards, including wins over KKR in Kolkata, CSK in Chennai, MI in Mumbai, and PBKS in New Chandigarh. With this, RCB surpassed the previous best of 7 wins in 8 away games held by KKR and MI (both in 2012).
Related Article：RCB Rewrites History With Most Consecutive Away Wins in IPL
Finding 𝙖-𝙬𝙖𝙮 from home 🫡#RCB make history with their epic victory in Lucknow ❤#TATAIPL | #LSGvRCB | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/xS7WuuMqLM
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2025
The ability to adapt to different conditions and thrive under hostile crowds made RCB one of the most balanced and confident units this season. Their unbeaten away streak was a massive reason they finished second on the points table with 19 points, heading into the playoffs with momentum and belief.
10. Support Staff and Data-Driven Planning
RCB’s analytics team deserves credit too. Match-ups were used wisely. PBKS’ weakness against left-arm spin was exploited. Batters were prepared with field placements in advance. Bowling lengths were adjusted per batter, not per phase. They used data not to confuse players, but to empower them.
Under the hood, head coach Andy Flower and his team helped create a team environment that supported growth and accountability. Batting coach Dinesh Karthik also played a crucial role in guiding the younger players and sharpening RCB’s middle and lower-order approach.
All lions. 🦁 pic.twitter.com/TatQJ23ZjH
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 3, 2025
Final Words
After years of ridicule, the RCB win IPL trophy. It is not a meme anymore. It’s a statement. This was no fluke. The IPL 2025 winner team earned it with sharp decisions, smart recruitment, and serious belief. Kohli’s emotion, Patidar’s leadership, Krunal’s guile, and Hazlewood’s calm all made this season unforgettable. The fans waited 18 seasons for this. They deserve every second of this celebration.
