Historic IPL Final: Royal Challengers Bangalore Edge Out Punjab Kings in Thrilling Encounter
Mumbai, May 26, 2024 - In a nail-biting finish that will be remembered for years to come, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings by 4 runs in the IPL 2024 final at the Wankhede Stadium, claiming their maiden IPL title in front of a packed crowd of 33,000 spectators.
The red and gold army finally broke their title drought as captain Faf du Plessis lifted the coveted trophy, ending RCB's 17-year wait since the tournament's inception.
Match Summary
Batting first after winning the toss, RCB posted a competitive 187/6 in their 20 overs, powered by a scintillating 78 not out from Virat Kohli and a quickfire 45 from Glenn Maxwell. The former RCB captain played with characteristic elegance, finding the boundary at crucial moments and anchoring the innings with maturity.
Punjab Kings' chase got off to a flying start with openers Shikhar Dhawan (52) and Prabhsimran Singh (34) putting on 86 runs for the first wicket. However, RCB's bowling attack, led by Mohammed Siraj's figures of 3/31, staged a remarkable comeback in the middle overs.
The match went down to the final over with Punjab Kings needing 12 runs. Despite Sam Curran's valiant 29 not out, RCB held their nerve as Josh Hazlewood bowled a masterful final over, conceding just 7 runs to seal victory.
Detailed Scorecard
Royal Challengers Bangalore - 187/6 (20 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faf du Plessis (c) | 23 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 127.78 |
| Virat Kohli* | 78 | 52 | 8 | 2 | 150.00 |
| Rajat Patidar | 15 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 45 | 28 | 4 | 2 | 160.71 |
| Dinesh Karthik (wk) | 18 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 225.00 |
| Cameron Green | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 400.00 |
| Extras | 17 | (b4, lb2, w8, nb3) |
Bowling Figures - Punjab Kings
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 42 | 2 | 10.50 |
| Sam Curran | 4 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 4 | 38 | 1 | 9.50 |
| Harpreet Brar | 4 | 31 | 1 | 7.75 |
| Rahul Chahar | 4 | 41 | 1 | 10.25 |
Punjab Kings - 183/8 (20 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shikhar Dhawan | 52 | 41 | 6 | 1 | 126.83 |
| Prabhsimran Singh (wk) | 34 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 154.55 |
| Bhanuka Rajapaksa | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.29 |
| Liam Livingstone | 21 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 140.00 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 15 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Sam Curran (c)* | 29 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 181.25 |
| Shahrukh Khan | 12 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 240.00 |
| Harpreet Brar | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Extras | 8 | (b2, lb1, w5) |
Bowling Figures - Royal Challengers Bangalore
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Siraj | 4 | 31 | 3 | 7.75 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 28 | 2 | 7.00 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 4 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 |
| Cameron Green | 4 | 47 | 1 | 11.75 |
Result: Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 4 runs
Key Performances
- Virat Kohli (RCB): 78* off 52 balls (Player of the Match)
- Mohammed Siraj (RCB): 3/31 in 4 overs
- Shikhar Dhawan (PBKS): 52 off 41 balls
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB): 2/28 in 4 overs (including final over)
Post-Match Reactions
"This moment means everything to me and to RCB fans worldwide," said an emotional Virat Kohli after receiving the Player of the Match award. "We've come close so many times, but tonight we finally got over the line."
Punjab Kings captain Sam Curran praised his team's effort: "The boys gave everything tonight. Sometimes cricket comes down to fine margins, and today wasn't our day. But I'm proud of how we fought."
Tournament Impact
This victory marks RCB's first IPL title, making them the eighth different team to win the tournament. The success comes after years of heartbreak, including three runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016.
For Punjab Kings, it was their second final appearance since their victory in the inaugural 2008 season under the name Kings XI Punjab.
The attendance of 33,000 at Wankhede Stadium generated ₹15 crores in ticket revenue alone, while the broadcast reached an estimated 400 million viewers across India and international markets.
With this thrilling conclusion, IPL 2024 has set new benchmarks for excitement and competitiveness, promising an even more spectacular tournament next season.