The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season concluded with a historic victory for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who clinched their maiden title after 18 years of participation. The tournament commenced on March 22 and concluded on June 3. It featured ten teams competing across 74 matches. The final was held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling contest.
Top Four Teams That Qualified for Playoffs
The league stage saw intense competition, culminating in the following teams securing playoff berths:
- Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Topped the table with 19 points.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Also finished with 19 points but had a lower net run rate than PBKS.
- Gujarat Titans (GT) – Secured third place with 18 points.
- Mumbai Indians (MI) – Finished fourth with 16 points.
4th Place Finish: Gujarat Titans
The 2022 season champions, Gujarat Titans, secured the third playoff spot. Yet, their journey ended in the Eliminator, where they faced Mumbai Indians. GT’s campaign was flying high, but all came crashing down as they encountered a poor run of form in the last few league matches. They were in a strong position to finish at the top of the table, but finished third before being defeated by MI in the Eliminator.
3rd Place Finish: Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions, showcased a commendable performance throughout the season. They defeated Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator but fell short in Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings, thereby finishing third. Their campaign was highlighted by consistent performances from key players like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, but they were unable to replicate their previous title-winning run.
Runners-Up: Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings had a remarkable season, finishing at the top of the league table. They secured a spot in the final after defeating Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2. In the final, chasing a target of 191 set by RCB, PBKS managed 184/7 in their 20 overs, falling short by six runs. Despite the loss, the team’s overall performance marked one of their best seasons in IPL history. Shreyas Iyer led by example and was also one of the highest run-getters in the season.
Winners: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB’s long-awaited triumph was the highlight of IPL 2025. Under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar, RCB displayed consistent performances throughout the season. In the final, Virat Kohli’s steady 43 off 35 balls and Josh Hazlewood’s disciplined bowling attack, who took 22 wickets in the season, were instrumental in securing the victory. Phil Salt, who had a memorable week welcoming his first child and contributing in the final with his batting and fielding, was lauded by fans as “Super Dad.”
Team Finishing Last: Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings endured a challenging season, finishing at the bottom of the table. Despite having a roster filled with promising talent, the team struggled to find consistency. They failed to make an impact in the tournament.
Other Teams
- Delhi Capitals (DC): The team from India’s capital were in a prime position to qualify for the playoffs in the first half of the season. Yet, DC’s form fizzled out in the second half, and they finished in fifth place.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR): Despite standout individual performances, RR struggled to maintain consistency. They missed out on the playoffs by a massive margin and finished ninth in the table.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): SRH showed glimpses of brilliance but lacked the depth in their bowling to challenge for a playoff spot. Their batters also came to the party late in the tournament. By then, they were already out of the Playoff race. SRH ultimately finished sixth this season.
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): LSG had a promising start but couldn’t sustain their momentum, finishing in the bottom half of the table at seventh. The form of their captain, Rishabh Pant, was questionable until he redeemed himself with a century in the very last match.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): The defending champions had a disappointing season, finishing eighth in the standings. Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, KKR struggled to replicate their previous success.
The IPL 2025 season will ultimately be remembered for RCB’s historic win, Virat Kohli’s emotional moment, and the emergence of new talents making their mark on the grand stage. As teams reflect on their performances, preparations for the next season are already underway. This promises another exciting chapter in the IPL saga.
