Those last three balls..': Virat Kohli recalls 'toughest part' of IPL 2025 final

Do you remember the IPL 2025 final? The match where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) FINALLY won their first IPL trophy after 17 years? The match was SO TENSE that even Virat Kohli’s heart was beating super fast. And now he has revealed the “toughest part” of that final – it was the LAST THREE BALLS. Let me tell you everything.

What Happened in the IPL 2025 Final?

IPL 2025 final was between RCB and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 25, 2025 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata . RCB batted first and made 202 runs.

Then PBKS chased and needed 15 runs in the last over. RCB’s Yash Dayal bowled the final over. He bowled so well that PBKS needed 4 runs from the last 3 balls with Arshdeep Singh batting. Arshdeep hit a SIX on the 4th ball. Then needed 2 runs from the last 2 balls . Yash Dayal bowled a dot ball on the 5th ball. Last ball, PBKS needed 2 runs. Yash Dayal bowled a slower ball – Arshdeep missed. RCB WON BY 1 RUN.

RCB players cried, fans cried, and Virat Kohli cried. After 17 years, RCB finally won.

🖐️ times the 🐐 has scored 600+ runs in the #TATAIPL. 🤯💥

Just 5️⃣ sleeps away from watching VK18 do what he does best. 😮‍💨💯#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/3TyfO5LgAE
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 23, 2026

What does Virat Kohli Say Now?

In a video shared by RCB on social media, Kohli opened up about that final. He said:

“The toughest part was the last three balls because you could see the finish line but you still had to get those three balls right. And Yash Dayal was bowling his heart out, and we were all just standing there, praying, hoping, trying to send positive energy from the boundary line.”

He meant – even though victory was CLOSE, those 3 balls felt like FOREVER. Yash Dayal was bowling, and every player was PRAYING.

Why Was Yash Dayal Bowling?

The funny thing is – Yash Dayal was the SAME bowler who was hit for 5 sixes by Rinku Singh in IPL 2023 when he was in Gujarat Titans. That was his WORST moment. Many people said his career is finished.

But RCB BELIEVED in him. They bought him, and in the 2025 final, HE BOWLED THE LAST OVER. And he DID IT. He defended 15 runs in the last over. That’s called REDEMPTION.

Kohli also said: “To see someone like Yash Dayal, who had a tough moment two years ago, come back and deliver that – it’s the beauty of this sport.”

Kohli on Pressure

Kohli also spoke about PRESSURE in the video. He said something SUPER important:

“You only feel pressure when you feel entitled to something. We never felt entitled to win. We just wanted to go out there and earn it.”

That means – when you think “we DESERVE to win”, you feel pressure. But when you think “we have to EARN it”, you just focus on your job.

That’s why RCB won. They didn’t think they deserved a trophy because of the past. They WENT OUT and EARNED it.

🖐️ times the 🐐 has scored 600+ runs in the #TATAIPL. 🤯💥

Just 5️⃣ sleeps away from watching VK18 do what he does best. 😮‍💨💯#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/3TyfO5LgAE
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 23, 2026

𝙍𝘾𝘽 𝙁𝙖𝙢, 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨... 🥹⭐🏆

Virat reflects on the night of the #IPL2025 Final and what it truly means to be an IPL champion. ❤️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/ZD0v8JCesj
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 22, 2026

Kohli's Emotional Message to Fans

After winning, Kohli had posted on Instagram:

“This is for every RCB fan who never stopped believing. Your love has carried us through the toughest days. We did it for you.”

In the new video, he added:

“Playing for RCB is never just about cricket. It’s about carrying the hopes of millions who have waited so long. To finally give them that moment… there are no words.”

At the same time, attention has shifted to other global leagues where on-field performance remains the sole focus. Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s strong run at the top of the SA20 points table, driven by crucial bonus wins, highlights how franchise cricket elsewhere continues to thrive amid stability and sporting clarity.

Sunrisers Supreme: SEC Move Top of SA20 Table with Back-to-Back Bonus Point Wins

RCB's Journey to IPL 2025 Title

Year	Result
2009	Lost final to Deccan Chargers
2011	Lost final to Chennai Super Kings
2016	Lost final to Sunrisers Hyderabad
2024	Lost Qualifier 2
2025	Won Final

RCB had lost 3 finals before. They had never won. But in 2025, with Rajat Patidar as captain (Kohli stepped down after 2024) , they FINALLY did it.

Key Players in 2025 Final:

Rajat Patidar – captain, scored 54 off 38

Virat Kohli – 42 off 30

Cameron Green – 35 off 18

Yash Dayal – last over hero, 1/38 in 4 overs

Mohammed Siraj – 3 wickets

What Happened After the Final?

After winning, the RCB team celebrated like CRAZY. Kohli was seen crying on the field. Fans gathered outside Eden Gardens till 2 AM. There were fireworks, dancing, singing.

Kohli said in the video: “That night, I didn’t sleep. I just kept looking at the trophy, thinking about all the years we came close but couldn’t finish it. And now… finally.”

What About IPL 2026?

Now IPL 2026 is starting on March 28. RCB’s first match is vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 28 at Eden Gardens – same ground where they won the final.

But RCB has a new captain this year – Rajat Patidar again. And they have some new players:

Jos Buttler – joined RCB

Heinrich Klaasen – joined RCB

Mitchell Starc – joined RCB

Josh Hazlewood – INJURED (out for 2 months)

Virat Kohli – still there, but not captain

Can RCB win AGAIN? It’s hard but they have a STRONG team.

My Thoughts

You know what I think? That IPL 2025 final was the BEST match I’ve ever seen. Last 3 balls – my heart was BEATING so fast. When Arshdeep hit that six on the 4th ball, I thought “NOOO.” Then Yash Dayal bowled a dot ball and I screamed. Last ball – I closed my eyes and opened when I heard celebration.

Yash Dayal – from being hit for 5 sixes by Rinku Singh to bowling the final over in IPL final and WINNING – that’s the BEST comeback story in cricket.

And Virat Kohli – after 17 years, crying on field, lifting trophy – that’s why we love cricket