NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings’ hopes of securing their maiden IPL trophy were shattered, but spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has already turned his focus to the next season, expressing confidence that the team will lift the coveted title in 2026. On Tuesday, Punjab Kings were edged out by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a nail-biting final, losing by six runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, as RCB clinched their first-ever Indian Premier League title.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Chahal shared a motivational message on social media, reflecting on the season and looking ahead with optimism.
"This IPL season has been such an amazing experience. This team is full of grit, passion and unwavering sportsmanship and we showcased the same on the field.
The hunger continues and we will conquer this battle and this war next year for sure," Chahal wrote.
He added: "Special thanks to my teammates and my humble gratitude to the management and each member of the support staff. A big thank you to the Punjab fans for your amazing support throughout the tournament. #Saddapunjab #ChardiKala."
The final also marked the culmination of an 18-year wait for Virat Kohli, as the RCB stalwart finally lifted the IPL trophy. Kohli played a pivotal role in the final, scoring 43 off 35 balls at the top of the order to help Bengaluru post a challenging total of 190/9 — a target that proved just out of reach for Punjab, who finished at 184/7 despite a spirited fight.
A crowd of over 91,000 fans packed the 132,000-capacity stadium, with a sea of RCB red and Kohli's iconic No. 18 jersey dominating the stands. Chants of "Kohli, Kohli" echoed throughout the venue.
After years of heartbreak in three previous finals, RCB finally ended their title drought. The 36-year-old Kohli — regarded as one of India’s greatest across formats — collapsed to the ground in relief and jubilation, before rising to embrace his teammates amid a wave of celebration from the fans.
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