As the 18th season of the Indian Premier League reaches its climax, fans eagerly await the showdown between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This final is much more than a game, it’s a convergence of stories, dreams, and legacies that have come to define the IPL’s unique drama.
At the centre of this epic narrative is Virat Kohli, a player whose nearly two-decade-long pursuit of an IPL title with RCB has been marked by brilliance and heartbreak in equal measure. Kohli enters this final for the fourth time, still chasing that elusive triumph that has so far slipped just beyond his grasp.
Opposite him stands Shreyas Iyer, the captain who has transformed Punjab Kings from a team mired in mediocrity into genuine contenders, guided by his own leadership and the strategic acumen of coach Ricky Ponting. Their journey epitomises the resilience and hunger that IPL cricket celebrates, underdogs challenging the established order, eager to carve their own legacy.
Before this new chapter unfolds, it’s worth revisiting five IPL finals that have not only thrilled fans but also shaped the tournament’s identity as the world’s biggest and most exciting T20 league.
Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings (2019)
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 1 run
Venue: Hyderabad
The 2019 final was a nerve-shredder, a low-scoring battle where strategy and composure made all the difference. Mumbai’s 149, built on Kieron Pollard’s gritty 41*, didn’t seem daunting. But Lasith Malinga, with ice in his veins, defended the final over despite an early onslaught from Shane Watson, who scored 80. CSK faltered at the last hurdle, falling short by a single run.
Other standout players: Jasprit Bumrah (2/14 in 4 overs, Player of the Match), Deepak Chahar (3/26), MS Dhoni’s sharp glovework, and Rahul Chahar’s vital spell. This final reminded us that T20 cricket is as much about nerve and nuance as it is about sixes.
Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals (2008)
Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 3 wickets
Venue: Navi Mumbai
The inaugural IPL final was the stuff of a spectacle. CSK, powered by Parthiv Patel, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, posted a solid 163. But Shane Warne’s unheralded Royals, the ultimate underdogs, scripted a heist.
Yusuf Pathan shone with a 3-wicket haul and a rapid-fire 56, while Graeme Smith and Kamran Akmal chipped in. Sohail Tanvir and Shane Watson brought control with the ball, and Warne’s captaincy was masterful. Needing one run off the last ball, Rajasthan held their nerve. The first champions of the IPL.
Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2012)
Result: KKR won by 5 wickets
Venue: Chennai
When CSK posted 190 at home, thanks to Murali Vijay (42), Suresh Raina (73), and MS Dhoni’s finishing touch, it looked like a third title was in the bag. But KKR, then chasing their maiden IPL title, found an unlikely hero.
Manvinder Bisla played the innings of his life — 89 off 48 balls, as he took apart the CSK attack. Jacques Kallis (69 off 49) provided calm at the other end, while Yusuf Pathan hit the winning runs. Sunil Narine’s earlier spell and L Balaji’s clutch death overs were also pivotal. Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy, understated but assertive,got its crowning glory.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2016)
Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 8 runs
Venue: Bengaluru
In what many consider the most thrilling IPL final of the modern era, RCB began strongly, with Chris Gayle (76 off 38) and Virat Kohli (54) putting up a solid 114-run opening partnership. However, disciplined death bowling from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman turned the tide, as RCB lost momentum in the final overs.
Despite consistent performances from AB de Villiers and KL Rahul earlier in the season, the final ended in disappointment for Kohli and his team once more.
Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant (2017)
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 1 run
Venue: Hyderabad
When Mumbai Indians limped to 129 thanks to Krunal Pandya’s scrappy 47, it looked like the trophy was headed to Pune. But Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai had other plans.
Mitchell Johnson (3/26), Jasprit Bumrah (2/26), and Krunal himself turned up with the ball. Pune’s chase saw Ajinkya Rahane (44) and Steve Smith (51) anchor steadily, but Johnson’s final over was a masterclass in handling pressure. Dan Christian couldn’t get the final blow, and Mumbai won by one run, again. A low-scoring epic that proved T20 finals don’t need 200+ scores to deliver drama.
As RCB and PBKS prepare to write the next chapter, the stakes go beyond the scoreboard. It’s Kohli’s unrelenting quest, it’s Punjab’s first-ever shot at history, it’s Ricky Ponting’s chess match against Faf du Plessis and Sanjay Bangar’s tactics. And a new name will etch itself into IPL folklore, one we didn’t expect, who reminds us once again why we love this game.
At the centre of this epic narrative is Virat Kohli, a player whose nearly two-decade-long pursuit of an IPL title with RCB has been marked by brilliance and heartbreak in equal measure. Kohli enters this final for the fourth time, still chasing that elusive triumph that has so far slipped just beyond his grasp.
Opposite him stands Shreyas Iyer, the captain who has transformed Punjab Kings from a team mired in mediocrity into genuine contenders, guided by his own leadership and the strategic acumen of coach Ricky Ponting. Their journey epitomises the resilience and hunger that IPL cricket celebrates, underdogs challenging the established order, eager to carve their own legacy.
Before this new chapter unfolds, it’s worth revisiting five IPL finals that have not only thrilled fans but also shaped the tournament’s identity as the world’s biggest and most exciting T20 league.
Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings (2019)
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 1 run
Venue: Hyderabad
The 2019 final was a nerve-shredder, a low-scoring battle where strategy and composure made all the difference. Mumbai’s 149, built on Kieron Pollard’s gritty 41*, didn’t seem daunting. But Lasith Malinga, with ice in his veins, defended the final over despite an early onslaught from Shane Watson, who scored 80. CSK faltered at the last hurdle, falling short by a single run.
Other standout players: Jasprit Bumrah (2/14 in 4 overs, Player of the Match), Deepak Chahar (3/26), MS Dhoni’s sharp glovework, and Rahul Chahar’s vital spell. This final reminded us that T20 cricket is as much about nerve and nuance as it is about sixes.
Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals (2008)
Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 3 wickets
Venue: Navi Mumbai
The inaugural IPL final was the stuff of a spectacle. CSK, powered by Parthiv Patel, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, posted a solid 163. But Shane Warne’s unheralded Royals, the ultimate underdogs, scripted a heist.
Yusuf Pathan shone with a 3-wicket haul and a rapid-fire 56, while Graeme Smith and Kamran Akmal chipped in. Sohail Tanvir and Shane Watson brought control with the ball, and Warne’s captaincy was masterful. Needing one run off the last ball, Rajasthan held their nerve. The first champions of the IPL.
Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2012)
Result: KKR won by 5 wickets
Venue: Chennai
When CSK posted 190 at home, thanks to Murali Vijay (42), Suresh Raina (73), and MS Dhoni’s finishing touch, it looked like a third title was in the bag. But KKR, then chasing their maiden IPL title, found an unlikely hero.
Manvinder Bisla played the innings of his life — 89 off 48 balls, as he took apart the CSK attack. Jacques Kallis (69 off 49) provided calm at the other end, while Yusuf Pathan hit the winning runs. Sunil Narine’s earlier spell and L Balaji’s clutch death overs were also pivotal. Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy, understated but assertive,got its crowning glory.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2016)
Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 8 runs
Venue: Bengaluru
In what many consider the most thrilling IPL final of the modern era, RCB began strongly, with Chris Gayle (76 off 38) and Virat Kohli (54) putting up a solid 114-run opening partnership. However, disciplined death bowling from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman turned the tide, as RCB lost momentum in the final overs.
Despite consistent performances from AB de Villiers and KL Rahul earlier in the season, the final ended in disappointment for Kohli and his team once more.
Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant (2017)
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 1 run
Venue: Hyderabad
When Mumbai Indians limped to 129 thanks to Krunal Pandya’s scrappy 47, it looked like the trophy was headed to Pune. But Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai had other plans.
Mitchell Johnson (3/26), Jasprit Bumrah (2/26), and Krunal himself turned up with the ball. Pune’s chase saw Ajinkya Rahane (44) and Steve Smith (51) anchor steadily, but Johnson’s final over was a masterclass in handling pressure. Dan Christian couldn’t get the final blow, and Mumbai won by one run, again. A low-scoring epic that proved T20 finals don’t need 200+ scores to deliver drama.
As RCB and PBKS prepare to write the next chapter, the stakes go beyond the scoreboard. It’s Kohli’s unrelenting quest, it’s Punjab’s first-ever shot at history, it’s Ricky Ponting’s chess match against Faf du Plessis and Sanjay Bangar’s tactics. And a new name will etch itself into IPL folklore, one we didn’t expect, who reminds us once again why we love this game.
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