In a thrilling IPL 2025 finale held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their 18-year title drought by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a nail-biting encounter. RCB clinched their maiden IPL title with a six-run victory, sending fans into a frenzy and marking a historic moment for the franchise and their iconic star Virat Kohli, who had been chasing this elusive title since the league’s inception in 2008.
IPL 2025 Prize Money Distribution
As champions, RCB took home ₹20 crore, while runners-up PBKS earned ₹12.5 crore, in what was the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League. The prize money saw a significant jump from earlier seasons, reflecting the league’s growing stature and commercial success.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the prize distribution among top teams:
| Position | Team | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | RCB | ₹20 crore |
| 2nd | PBKS | ₹12.5 crore |
| 3rd | Mumbai Indians | ₹7 crore |
| 4th | Gujarat Titans | ₹6.5 crore |
In comparison, the inaugural season in 2008 awarded ₹4.8 crore to the winners and ₹2.4 crore to the runners-up — underlining a more than fourfold increase over the years.
Individual Awards & Performers of IPL 2025
RCB’s success was built on stellar performances throughout the tournament. Here are the key seasonal awards and winners:
| Award | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Orange Cap (Most Runs) | Sai Sudharsan | ₹10 lakh |
| Purple Cap (Most Wickets) | Prasidh Krishna | ₹10 lakh |
| Emerging Player | Sai Sudharsan | ₹10 lakh |
| Most Valuable Player | Suryakumar Yadav | ₹15 lakh |
| Super Striker of the Season | Vaibhav Suryavanshi | ₹10 lakh + Tata Curvv car |
| Fantasy King of the Season | Sai Sudharsan | ₹10 lakh |
| Best Catch | Kamindu Mendis | ₹10 lakh |
| Most Dot Balls | Mohammed Siraj | ₹10 lakh |
| Most Sixes | Nicholas Pooran | ₹10 lakh |
| Most Fours | Sai Sudharsan | ₹10 lakh |
| Fair Play Award | Chennai Super Kings | ₹10 lakh |
| Best Ground & Pitch | Delhi Capitals (New Delhi) | ₹50 lakh |
Final Match Awards (RCB vs PBKS)
The final itself was a showcase of clutch performances and intense drama. Here’s how the awards played out in the grand finale:
| Award | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Match | Krunal Pandya | ₹5 lakh |
| Super Striker | Jitesh Sharma | ₹1 lakh |
| Most Dot Balls | Krunal Pandya | ₹1 lakh |
| Most Fours | Priyansh Arya | ₹1 lakh |
| Fantasy King | Shashank Singh | ₹1 lakh |
| Most Sixes | Shashank Singh | ₹1 lakh |
IPL Champions Over the Years
RCB now joins the elite list of IPL title holders, becoming the eighth franchise to win the trophy. Here’s a summary of all IPL champions since 2008:
| Team | Titles | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | 5 | 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 5 | 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 3 | 2012, 2014, 2024 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 1 | 2008 |
| Deccan Chargers (Defunct) | 1 | 2009 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 1 | 2016 |
| Gujarat Titans | 1 | 2022 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 1 | 2025 |
Key Stats & Takeaways from IPL 2025
- Sai Sudharsan dominated with the bat, bagging three major awards including Orange Cap, Emerging Player, and Fantasy King.
- RCB’s title win ends one of the longest trophy droughts in T20 franchise cricket.
- Suryakumar Yadav, despite MI finishing third, claimed the MVP title with his explosive season.
- Mohammed Siraj, a vital cog in RCB’s bowling unit, led the league in dot balls — a testament to his accuracy under pressure.
With record viewership, a historic title win for RCB, and multiple young stars making headlines, IPL 2025 will go down as one of the most memorable seasons in the tournament’s history. Fans are already looking forward to IPL 2026, as teams prepare to regroup and re-strategize for another fiercely contested season.
