After PSG & Spurs, RCB vs PBKS could crown a season of stunning firsts

India Today

03-06-2025

June 3, 2025 — Narendra Modi Stadium, AhmedabadIt's a final that few saw coming at the start of the season, yet one that now perfectly encapsulates the tone of 2025. For over 18 years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings have been two of the IPL's most popular franchises — massive fan bases, big-name players, and unforgettable moments. But never the trophy.advertisementThat changes tonight.
As these two long-suffering teams clash in the IPL 2025 final, one will finally shed their reputation as perennial underachievers. For Virat Kohli, now in his 18th season with RCB, the stakes are especially personal. Despite leading from the front across eras and scoring an all-time record 973 runs in 2016, the IPL title has always eluded him. Tonight could be his long-awaited moment of redemption.But this story of breakthrough glory isn't exclusive to the IPL. Across sports, 2025 has been a year of firsts — a year where teams and players finally reversed years of heartbreak and found silverware that had always danced just out of reach.IPL: RCB or PBKS — One Will Finally RiseBoth Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings have featured in multiple playoff runs, and each has appeared in IPL finals before — RCB thrice (2009, 2011, and 2016), PBKS once (2014). Yet, neither has been able to finish the job.This time, though, one will.Whether it's Kohli finally lifting the IPL trophy, or a revamped Punjab Kings side completing a dramatic turnaround season, tonight's result will put an end to one of the longest droughts in T20 franchise cricket history.Football: First-Time Glory Across EuropeadvertisementPSG Conquer Europe at LastAfter years of heavy investment and near misses, Paris Saint-Germain finally won the UEFA Champions League in 2025. What makes the triumph even more remarkable is that it came in their first post-Mbappe season. Under Luis Enrique, the team reinvented itself, playing as a cohesive unit rather than a collection of stars. Their emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final wasn't just historic — it was symbolic of a team breaking free from its past.Tottenham Hotspur End 17-Year WaitIt wasn't just PSG. Tottenham Hotspur, long mocked for falling short at the final hurdle, lifted the Europa League by defeating Manchester United. It was their first major trophy since 2008 with the Carling Cup and a long-overdue payoff for a team that had often threatened but never delivered. For fans who'd grown used to hope turning into heartbreak, it was finally a reason to celebrate.Kane Finally Lifts a League TitleMeanwhile, Harry Kane, having departed Spurs for Bayern Munich in pursuit of trophies, had to wait longer than expected. But this season, he finally lifted his first Bundesliga title, ending a personal drought that spanned 19 years with his boyhood club and a turbulent debut season in Germany. For one of football's modern greats, enough and considered one of the best forwards of the game, 2025 brought long-deserved validation to his name.advertisementCrystal Palace Create HistoryIn a stunning FA Cup final, Crystal Palace upset Manchester City to claim the first major trophy in their history. For a club often seen as a mid-table mainstay, the result was groundbreaking. It wasn't just about winning — it was about doing it against one of the most dominant teams in English football.Newcastle's Domestic Drought EndsAnother club that finally broke their silverware curse was Newcastle United. Eddie Howe's side lifted the Carabao Cup, defeating Manchester City in the final and ending a 70-year wait for domestic honours. The last time Newcastle had tasted domestic success was in 1955 — which was also with an FA Cup win. This triumph was a full-circle moment for one of those clubs which have defined English football over the years.BBL: Hobart Hurricanes Break ThroughIt took 12 seasons, but the Hobart Hurricanes finally won their first Big Bash League title, defeating the Sydney Thunder in the final. Mitchell Owen played the innings of a lifetime, smashing 104 off 42 balls, rewriting the BBL record books, and ensuring Hobart no longer stood among the winless. Now, only the Melbourne Stars remain without a BBL crown.advertisementA Year of Release and RewardFrom Ahmedabad to Paris, London to Hobart, 2025 has been a year where persistence has finally been rewarded. The narratives that once defined these teams and athletes — of being the ones who always fell short — have been flipped.Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!
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