The IPL 2025 final delivered everything: pressure, drama, and a defining moment of brilliance. After waiting 18 long years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their first-ever IPL trophy. They did it in style, edging out Punjab Kings (PBKS) by just six runs in a thrilling finale. The game had no shortage of standout moments, but Phil Salt’s catch in the IPL final was the highlight.
Josh Hazlewood, under pressure, delivered a ball that Arya tried to dispatch for a third consecutive boundary. The ball flew toward deep backward square leg, seemingly destined for four. But Phil Salt, who had positioned himself perfectly, sprinted toward the ball and caught it on the run. As his momentum carried him over the boundary, Phil tossed the ball into the air, stepped out, and then came back in to complete a sensational relay catch. That piece of brilliance shifted the momentum completely.
Even the coaches acknowledged its impact. “That was a pivotal moment,” said Ricky Ponting, PBKS head coach. “We all know how dangerous Arya is. Salt’s catch knocked the wind out of our chase.”
RCB head coach Andy Flower praised Salt as well. “He flew back from England and landed at 3 AM on the day of the final. To pull off something like that under pressure, that’s what wins you championships.”
While Krunal Pandya earned the Player of the Match title for his exceptional bowling figures of 4-0-17-2, Salt’s catch turned the tide. It wasn’t just athleticism, it was awareness, timing, and composure under the spotlight.
PBKS fought until the very end, finishing at 184/7, just six runs short. But RCB held their nerve. In the end, clutch performances and one unforgettable fielding effort helped them cross the line. Eighteen years. Four lost finals. Endless heartbreak. And finally, Phil Salt’s catch in the IPL final brought the trophy home.
