Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed their first-ever Indian Premier League title with a narrow six-run victory over Punjab Kings.

Virat Kohli, 36, finally got his hands on the IPL trophy, having played for RCB in every season of the tournament. He top-scored for his side with a 43-run knock, helping RCB post 190 for 9 in their 20 overs.

Punjab Kings, also aiming for their first title, came close but ended on 184 for 7.

“I never thought this day would come,” said Kohli after the win. “This means so much to me. I've given everything I have to this team. Winning the IPL feels amazing.”

Kohli opened the batting with England’s Phil Salt and played a key innings of 43 off 35 balls before being dismissed as the fourth wicket, caught and bowled by Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai with the score on 143.

Salt made a quick 16 from nine balls before being caught by Shreyas Iyer off Kyle Jamieson. England all-rounder Liam Livingstone contributed 25, as the batters from number three to six all added runs in the mid-20s.

RCB looked set for a bigger total, but Punjab’s Arshdeep Singh bowled a tight final over, taking three wickets and limiting the score to below 200.

In response, Punjab Kings were at 98 for 4 in the 13th over, with captain Shreyas Iyer out for just one, caught by Jitesh Sharma off Romario Shepherd.

Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh tried to build a partnership, but the momentum shifted when Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis were both dismissed within three deliveries bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Requiring 29 runs in the final over from Josh Hazlewood, Shashank Singh scored 22 runs off the last four balls to finish unbeaten on 61, but the team fell just short.

After 18 seasons and three previous defeats in the final, RCB and Kohli finally had their moment to celebrate an IPL championship.

MSK/