The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) brought with it a whirlwind of emotions, stunning comebacks, and historic milestones. None bigger than Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally breaking their title drought after 18 long years. In a season that started on March 22 and concluded on June 3, ten teams fought fiercely over 74 high-octane matches. The grand finale, hosted at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, saw RCB emerge victorious over Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs, sealing one of the most emotional wins in IPL history.
Top 4 Teams That Qualified for Playoffs
The race to the playoffs was tighter than ever, with teams constantly jostling for position in the final few weeks. Ultimately, it was Punjab Kings who topped the table, followed closely by RCB—both teams tied on 19 points but separated by net run rate. Gujarat Titans secured third spot with 18 points, while Mumbai Indians took the final playoff berth with 16 points.
- Punjab Kings (19 points)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (19 points)
- Gujarat Titans (18 points)
- Mumbai Indians (16 points)
4th Place Finish: Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans, the 2022 IPL champions, had a campaign that promised much but faltered when it mattered most. For the majority of the season, they appeared poised to finish in the top two. However, a late-season slump saw them slip to third place. Their playoff hopes ended in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians, where their batting unit failed to fire under pressure. Despite standout performances from Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan earlier in the tournament, GT’s form deserted them at a critical juncture, resulting in an early exit.
3rd Place Finish: Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians, with five titles under their belt, once again proved why they’re perennial contenders. They started the season slowly but picked up momentum midway, thanks to stellar showings from Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 481 runs, and Jasprit Bumrah, whose lethal death bowling earned him 21 wickets. After knocking out Gujarat in the Eliminator, MI fell short against Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2. It was a season of resurgence but not quite a return to the summit.
Runners-Up: Punjab Kings
If there was one team that surprised everyone with their consistency, it was Punjab Kings. Under the astute leadership of Shreyas Iyer, they topped the points table and stormed into the final after a clinical performance in Qualifier 2. In the summit clash, PBKS came tantalizingly close to chasing down RCB’s 191 but eventually fell short by six runs, finishing on 184/7. Shreyas Iyer led from the front with 598 runs and anchored several crucial wins. Despite falling at the final hurdle, PBKS’ campaign was their most successful since the tournament’s inception.
Winners: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Eighteen seasons. Numerous heartbreaks. But IPL 2025 was the year RCB fans had longed for. With Rajat Patidar at the helm and veterans like Virat Kohli delivering at crunch moments, RCB put together a dream campaign. In the final, Kohli composed 43 off 35, with Krunal Pandya’s bowling brilliance setting the tone.
Salt, who became a father just days before the final, chipped in with 16 and a brilliant catch—earning him the moniker “Super Dad” from fans. Josh Hazlewood’s solitary wicket in the final, part of his 22 wickets in the season, capped off RCB’s glorious run. Emotions poured as Kohli, visibly teary-eyed, finally lifted the IPL trophy, ending nearly two decades of wait.
Team Finishing Last: Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings, the most successful team in IPL history, had a season to forget. Despite the presence of MS Dhoni, the franchise lacked direction. Despite the promise shown by youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Matheesha Pathirana, CSK’s inability to string together wins saw them finish at the bottom of the table—a rare sight for the Yellow Army.
Other Teams
- Delhi Capitals (5th): A strong start saw them in the top four mid-season, but a poor second half derailed their campaign. Injuries and middle-order collapse haunted DC as they narrowly missed out on the playoffs.
- Rajasthan Royals (9th): Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal had bright moments, but lack of bowling depth cost them dearly. They lost seven of their last eight matches, finishing ninth in the standings. The only positive for them in the season was the emergence of a talent like Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (6th): Flashes of brilliance from Heinrich Klaasen and Abhishek Sharma weren’t enough to cut. Their bowling lacked teeth, especially in the powerplay.
- Lucknow Super Giants (7th): Led by Rishabh Pant, LSG had a promising start but couldn’t sustain their momentum. Pant’s century in the final league match was too little, too late.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (8th): The defending champions were a shadow of their former self. With Ajinkya Rahane struggling as captain and key players misfiring, KKR ended with only five wins.
As we look back, IPL 2025 was a season of redemption, heartbreak, and fairy tales. While RCB finally scripted their happy ending, others will return to the drawing board with lessons learned and hopes rekindled for 2026.